Match-winner Lee Robinson has challenged Bristol to re-establish a winning culture after they made a victorious start to life in the Championship.

Winger Robinson's 77th-minute try gave Bristol Rugby a hard-fought 28-23 victory over London Welsh at the Memorial Stadium yesterday after they had trailed 23-17 with eight minutes to play.

And Robinson hopes the victory – only Bristol's third in 29 league matches – can act as a catalyst for a winning run as they aim to return to the Guinness Premiership at the first attempt.

"There are a few little things we need to iron out in terms of our skill level and set-piece – but it was better than our pre-season games," said Robinson. "It's a different side to last season and we've got a lot of new people still learning how each other play. But I definitely think we can forge a winning culture.

With the new players we've got, I think it's all there. Everything is in place."

Bristol had looked in charge when Tom Arscott went over early on – and again when Dan Norton gave them a half-time advantage.

But they almost suffered a shock defeat when two London Welsh tries, an Errie Claassens score and a bizarre John Mackey effort, gave the visitors a 23-17 lead.

Adrian Jarvis kicked Bristol level with two penalties, before Robinson's late intervention.

"We're happy with the way we fought back at the end," said Robinson.

"We made a few errors but our scope for improvement is a lot greater than theirs. We messed up a lot of our own set-piece and a few errors crept in, but once we get those things sorted we'll be a better side.

"There was a call for a knock-on in the build-up to my try, but you have to play on – and it was a brilliant feeling to win it with that. The boys kept going and going and I think that will serve us well.

"It's graft all the way in this division. It's slightly less glorious than the Premiership but I think Bristol are going to try to play some exciting rugby this season."

Bristol Rugby head coach Paul Hull, a former full-back, was delighted to see all of his starting back-three players score opening-day tries.

"With our back three, if they are given space, they will hurt teams," said Hull. "I was pleased the team were tight and gelled together, but it's a work in progress."