WARRIORS director of rugby Mike Ruddock conceded that his side's poor discipline cost them dear in the 29-7 derby day defeat to Gloucester at Kingsholm.

The hosts unveiled their impressive new C&G stand for the game and the swelled attendance of 15,781 it created - a new club record - made for a cracking atmosphere.

But Worcester's hopes of a first top-flight win over their rivals were hit by their high penalty count.

Ruddock said: "We struggled to get field position because of the penalty count and there were far too many turn-overs in the contact area and that was a big weakness for us.

"We're disappointed because things didn't quite go our way, but Gloucester are a tough side to beat. There were moments in the game when we showed good shape and at half-time we were pleased, but in the second-half we needed to score first to get back into it.

"During the first part of the second-half we had some positive moments but whenever we had field position we either turned the ball over or gave away a penalty. That kept forcing us back.

"Towards the end of the second-half, it was difficult to build up any momentum and we just couldn't secure any real quick ball in and around the ruck area.

"We did create chances - we had one just under the posts in the second-half with Ryan Powell that would have brought us back towards bonus point territory but we didn't nail that one down.

"If you look at Gloucester's first try, we made a fantastic clean line break but when we passed it back inside we lost possession and they hacked on and scored.

"We had got in behind them down the wide channels and that could have led to something but one pass let us down.

"Towards the end, Gloucester came back and got the try they needed to run away with the game.

"The ball bounced for them at times and that was typified by the last try when Marcel Garvey read what was happening and the ball just beat him on that occasion. I felt for Marcel as I did all the lads.

"It's still the first month and a lot of work has already happened, but we are not kidding ourselves. This is a challenge and we have a long way to go yet. We move on and must now focus on Saracens on Saturday and that first win."

Ruddock also admitted he will be reviewing a video of the game to have a look at exactly what was going on in the contact area.

He added: "Gloucester competed really well but I would like to look closely at the match video and see that contact area because it seemed to me the contest carried on after the situation became a ruck.

"It denied us getting the quick ball we wanted to play the game we wanted. It was a very different ruck area to what I have seen this year."