A LAST-GASP try from Luke Sherriff, converted by man of the match Greig Tonks, gave Nottingham Rugby a 30-29 bonus point won over Bedford Blues at Meadow Lane yesterday.

As the game moved into injury time, and with the visitors six points in front, a deep kick from Tonks brought a line out for the visitors.

But Bedford made a mess of their own throw and Sherriff stole the ball and did well to force his way over the line.

Tonks then held his nerve to add the extras to bring the crowd to its feet.

Typical of games between the two sides, it was compelling stuff with the lead changing hands regularly.

It was certainly a hard-fought win for Nottingham, all the more so considering the injuries to their back division, and they deserve every credit for clawing their way back from the brink of defeat.

Equally though, it was tough on a strong, well-organised Bedford side who will kick themselves for the manner in which they threw away their advantage and let Nottingham off the hook.

The Green and Whites were unlucky not to open the scoring in the first few minutes when a jinking run from winger Tim Streather set up a good position, but after a series of rucks close to the line, Nottingham lost possession with a knock on.

Bedford took full advantage with a swift counter-attack to force a penalty from which full-back James Pritchard gave them the lead.

From the re-start though, Streather intercepted on half way and raced clear to touch down in the corner to put Nottingham 5-3 ahead.

After a couple of penalty misses, Pritchard put his side back in the lead with a kick from in front of the posts.

A good spell of pressure from Nottingham finally saw them regain the advantage when Phil Eggleshaw, playing out of position due to those injuries in the back division, capitalised on a knock on to steal the ball and dive over.

The lead did not last long though as the visitors set up a strong attack deep in the Nottingham 22. Replacement James Knight eventually twisted over for a try, Pritchard adding the conversion.

But a strong finish to the first half from the Green and Whites saw them go in to the break two points ahead thanks to a penalty from Tonks in injury time following a series of threatening drives.

A second kick from Tonks soon after the restart gave Nottingham a five-point lead following a shoulder charge on replacement prop Petrus Du Plessis.

Again it was a short-lived lead though, a Pritchard penalty and his conversion of a try from scrum half Ian Vass putting the visitors 23-18 up.

And when Rohann Nirmalendran was penalised in his own 22 for not releasing the ball, Pritchard increased the Bedford lead to eight points.

Having had loud appeals for a penalty try turned down, Nottingham got back into the game with an opportunist effort from Tim Taylor before Pritchard slotted over another penalty to leave the Green and Whites six points adrift.

Sherriff's late try brought them back to within a point Tonks bringing the crowd to its feet with the successful conversion.

Nottingham: Nirmalendran, Cobden, Tonks, Eggleshaw, Streather, Taylor, Usasz, Fowkes, Sammons, Cole, Green, Rouse, Hammond, Sherriff, Hemingway. Replacements: White, Marshall, Barnard, Rostrum, Raven, Buxton, Du Plessis.

Tries: Streather, Eggleshaw, Taylor, Sherriff. Cons: Tonks 2. Pens: Tonks 2.

Att: 1,594