Full-time: Bristol 21 Northampton 25: Bristol will take plenty of heart after coming close to securing their third victory of the season against Northampton in the European Challenge Cup at the Memorial Stadium.

Barnstorming winger Lee Robinson came off the bench to inspire a fightback but the hosts just fell short of overhauling the Saints.

Former Plymouth three-quarter Robinson grabbed Bristol's first try on 70 minutes and was involved as full-back Luke Arscott went over six minutes later.

Despite winning the second half 12-5, it was too little too late but Bristol will be battled hardened for their Guinness Premiership return on Saturday at Worcester.

Despite being more inventive in attack, Bristol were made to pay for some poor defending.

They left huge gaps at the side of rucks and, on one occasion, allowed scrum-half Ben Foden to go through and hold off his opposite number Shaun Perry for the first try on 16 minutes.

Fly-half Stephen Myler converted, adding to his earlier penalty. Barnes had also replied with three points.

Barnes kicked Bristol to 10-6 but the home side were behind their own sticks again on 23 minutes when wing Paul Diggin was in acres of space from a Myler cross-field-kick.

Former Bristol Under-21 Jon Clarke switched play, handed off full-back Luke Arscott and got the nod from the touch judge for the try despite Perry's last ditch tackle.

Barnes added two more penalties before the Saints crossed for a third time this afternoon.

On 34 minutes, Bristol looked like they had Foden sewn up but they couldn't prevent the offload and centre Chris Mayor coasted over.

Myler missed two conversions to keep Bristol in the game. The deficit could have been cut further on the stroke of half time but Barnes' 40 metre penalty dropped short of the uprights.

Northampton secured the bonus point on 53 minutes with some superb display of support play. Bristol simply ran out of defenders as Foden went through to touch down.

Lee Robinson came off the bench on 60 minutes and gave Bristol real gusto in attack.

The winger deserved his try on 70 minutes when he burst through three tacklers to dive over, Barnes conversion making it 25-16.

Robinson was again involved as Bristol added a second try six minutes later.

The winger burst through the first tackler but recycled the ball quickly for Bristol to catch Northampton back-pedalling before Neil Brew superbly timed pass sent Luke Arscott over.

Barnes missed the conversion but Bristol were only four points behind now.

Replacement fly-half Carlos Spencer, who had injured his left knee during the second half, should have taken Northampton seven points clear but he missed a kickable penalty on 80 minutes.