JOHN Brain said Worcester's players could be proud of themselves after the defeat which ended their season.

The Sixways chief praised his side after their 18-8 loss at Rotherham which killed off any lingering hopes of promotion to the Premiership.

The defeat left Worcester seven points behind the in-form leaders having played a game more but for Brain, it was a performance to be proud of.

"We've played some good rugby in the second half and Rotherham have scored from nothing," he said.

"We've taken two soft tries, that's the top and bottom of it but we can be proud of ourselves today and can leave Rotherham with our heads held high. I certainly wouldn't like to criticise anyone after that performance."

Worcester failed to take advantage of favourable conditions at Clifton Lane with the wind behind them and the sun in Rotherham's eyes.

And Brain admitted that Worcester could have played better in that first period.

"Our basics let us down and we could have used the wind better in the first half but that is a difficult balancing act. We needed to retain possession through phases and we've taken a soft try. We had defended the initial drive before they moved the ball wide. But we've come in for an interception and they've gone over in the corner so that was disappointing."

With chairman Cecil Duckworth not renowned for his patience in keeping on coaches, Brain was left to ponder the future without promotion for this season. However, the former Gloucester man was hoping to at least serve out his two-year contract at Sixways.

"There's a saying that an overnight success takes five years! I'm not suggesting anyone should give me that long but I've got a two-year contract and I would like to think that I will still have this job next season.

"The job I have had to do this season is to unpick a lot of what has gone on before."

Former coaches Geoff Cooke and Adrian Skeggs might point to the fact their side racked up 112 points last season and lost just two league games. But for Brain, he is intent on trying to salvage something out of this campaign which seems dead in January.

"Rotherham have a massive advantage now. They've got to lose at least twice for us to stand a chance. Most people will say that is unlikely but it's not impossible. So we'll keep going and we must make sure that if they do slip up, we can take advantage."