WORCESTER Warriors needed a last-minute penalty to overcome Yorkshire Carnegie 20-19 in a nail-biting Premiership Under 18 Academy League clash.

A strong performance from Carnegie saw them lead 19-10 but for the second time in as many weeks Warriors came back in the second half to win in the dying moments.

A fast-paced, attacking opening at a chilly Sixways also produced some sloppy passing and the visitors struck first with James Willis driving over after a penalty was kicked to the corner.

Warriors’ response came when Noah Heward collected the ball on the 10-metre line and evaded countless defenders before rounding the last line to touch down.

The home front row of Lewis Holsey, Jamie White and Max Baggs carried impressively.

Slick handling down the left put White close before Oli Thorneywork powered over from close range.

But then Carnegie sent the ball wide and full-back Joe Carpenter crossed with Dan Lancaster’s conversion giving them a 12-10 half-time advantage.

Warriors lock George Packer was sent to the sin-bin for a high tackle but later returned to give an abrasive final 20-minute display.

Carnegie capitalised on the man advantage when Andre Robson cut through to score a converted try under the posts.

But having fought back to win against Northampton Saints the previous weekend Warriors did it again.

Full-back Heward darted through several tackles before he was tackled but after quick phases and scramble defence he eventually finished off his second try.

With replacement Josh Phipps’ conversion, Warriors were just two points behind and a huge effort in defence secured a chance to win the game with a penalty.

Phipps duly slotted the kick from in front of the posts to put Worcester ahead before a potential long-range reply from Carnegie's Lancaster fell short.

Warriors visit Leicester Tigers at Oval Park on Saturday (noon).