Try-scorer James Phillips admitted Bristol Rugby could have been more clinical despite beating Nottingham 22-16 to record their 11th successive league victory.

The Championship leaders survived a late scare to win against opposition who had a player yellow-carded in each half.

And Phillips, comfortably Bristol's stand-out player thanks to a series of bullocking drives and an early second-half score, said his side should have triumphed by a wider margin.

The No 8 said: "You have to give Nottingham credit, because they were very good at the breakdown and made it difficult for us to win quick, clean possession.

"We needed to be more clinical with our finishing, and we also need to stop giving so many penalties away. Perhaps we were playing as individuals today at times instead of as a team.

"We also lacked concentration at times, but we've now got to continue building in the league."

Head coach Paul Hull was also disappointed. He said: "We had a lot of possession but they were a gritty side and had good skill set at the breakdown. It was frustrating for us, but you have to respect the opposition; they were a tough side and this is a tough league. We are pleased with another away win.

"The endeavour was there for us, and so was the attitude, particularly in the first half. We lost a little bit of composure when things were not going our way and that's something we have to look at."

Bristol's next game is at home to Coventry on Saturday (2pm) in the British and Irish Cup.