FOR the second time this season in a game officated by Rob Debney, Worcester Warriors scored more tries than their opponents, but still failed to win the match.

Although, Sixways director of rugby Mike Ruddock stopped short of criticising the man in the middle, the Welshman did say his side felt hard done by not to have won the game.

Referee Debney, who was also in charge of the 15-12 defeat to Newcastle at Kingston Park, was inconsistent to say the least.

He made a string of debatable decisions and infuriated everyone associated with the War-riors by not issuing a second-half yellow card to London Irish replacement Dan Murphy for a blatant body check on Loki Crichton.

Ruddock said: "It was the second time we've had Rob Debney as a referee and the second time we've out-scored the opposition in terms of tries, but not won.

"Some important decisions didn't go our way. For example, there were a couple towards the end when the decision in the tackle area could have gone our way, but was given to Irish.

"Pat Sanderson hacked through late on and the Irish winger went down in a squeeze-ball position, but we were penalised for diving in and they are the 50-50 calls that aren't going our way. I'm not blaming the referee, but the decisions were typical of the way luck has not been going for us this season.

"We're not really happy with just a losing bonus point because, on reflection, we thought we deserved to win the game. We had for or five good chances - one or two of them we dropped - but a couple which could have gone our way on another day.

"We out-scored them one try to nil, but still didn't get the victory, so we are disappointed.

"It was a big improvement on our recent performances - we were better on the ruck and not as ill-disciplined as we had been. We'd been diving into rucks too much and giving away penalties. There were some big improvements for us, but the margins are just so tight these days.

"I was really proud of the players, I thought they played really well. We didn't concede a try, scored one and I thought we were desperately unlucky not to get the result."

However, Ruddock was furious with his Australian flanker Drew Hickey for talking back at Debney and giving away a penalty, which Exiles full-back Peter Hewat slotted. With his side then losing the game by just one point, Ruddock's frustration was understandable.

He said: "The score we gave away because of Drew Hickey's back-chat to the referee was very irritating and we spoke about that at half-time. As far as I'm concerned, that is unacceptable and it will be dealt with - he will be hit in the pocket for that."

On the whole, Warriors' discipline was much-improved on recent weeks and Rud-dock felt the visit from top referee Wayne Barnes following the Harlequins defeat last weekend had paid dividends and revealed it was a measure he'd turn to again if he felt it necessary.

The Sixways chief added: "I think we saw the benefit of having Wayne Barnes come in to talk the guys through the Harelquins match video. We might well bring a referee in again if I think it is an issue - it was definitely an issue against Quins and Saracens.

"We will look at the match video and if we think there are some calls we need an explanation or a view on, we won't hesitate to contact our referee manager Ed Morrison.

"He has been fantastic and whenever I have had a need to talk to referees or organise a visit, I've gone through Ed and he has organised it for us.

"Our boys were much more composed in the tackle area. We didn't hurt ourselves as much. We still gave away a few penalties, but that is the way it's going to be when you're under pressure.

"I thought we had more territory, more possession and four or five good scoring chances. We did put a couple down - like when Rico dropped the ball on the far side in the first- half - so we had chances to finish the game off and put it beyond doubt.

"We'll reflect on those chances but, on the whole, I thought the effort was fantastic from the lads. If we keen keep that level of effort and defending like we did, we'll keep seeing an improvement in our game.

"We are missing a bit of luck. Reflecting on the game, the margins between the two teams were tight and we just didn't get the bit of luck we needed to win.

"We had a couple of charge-downs which possibly could have bounced up for us, but didn't.

"Our organisation in attack and defence was much better than what I saw in the previous two games, so that was a very big positive for us. I just feel for the boys really - after an effort like that, it would have been good for them to have picked up the win.

"Leeds have got games in hand and if they win one of those the pressure will be right back on us but, fortunately, we have got more home games than we have away and I think that could be the crucial factor for us."

Ruddock was impresed with the contribution of re-called fly-half Loki Crichton and he said: "I thought Loki did really well. We know he struggles at times with his goal-kicking and line-kicking but, on balance, his general play in attack and defence is very sound."