JOHN Brain blasted referee Nigel Yates for his puzzling performance during Worcester Rugby Club's 33-26 win at Coventry.

Worcester saw very few decisions go their way in a bad-tempered encounter at Coundon Road and, afterwards, the Sixways head coach made it clear he though Yates' display left much to be desired.

"The referee was unkind to us on a number of occasions," said Brain.

"Being a man down for so long in the match, I think most of the guys would have felt it was almost 14 against 16 out there. We just didn't get any change out of the referee."

Dan Zaltzman was given a straight red card, just after the half hour mark, for his involvement in a mass brawl. The red came after Alejandro Moreno's yellow card earlier in the half but both decisions were made on the touch judges' advice.

"I always find it difficult, in a situation such as Dan's where there was a general fight, that one man comes off," added Brain.

"I have a problem with that. Punches will be thrown by a number of players yet one man gets sent off. Would it not be fairer to send off one from each side?"

The former Gloucester coach, however, was delighted with his side's response to adversity as they scored four delightful tries and defended with absolute conviction.

"The team have showed a lot of character to come away from Coventry with a win. We've scored four good tries and put our bodies on the line in defence. People say Worcester are a money club with no character but anyone who watched us today will think that's not true.

"It was a very, very good performance and every player can be proud of themselves. We were a man down for a long time and Coventry have some powerful players in their ranks. We defended, however, heroically.

"In terms of away matches this is our best performance of the season. I think most people thought Coventry would do the double over us but we've shown a lot of character and done a good job.

"I'm very pleased for the supporters because the home loss to them earlier in the season was a black day for the club. To some extent we've put that right today."