John Brain was delighted to see Bristol Rugby extend the gap between themselves and third-placed Nottingham to 10 points with yesterday's 35-11 victory.

But the forwards coach knows his side must improve if they are to win promotion back to the Guinness Premiership at the first attempt.

Bristol, who scored five tries at the Memorial Stadium to secure a third straight bonus-point win, trail unbeaten Championship leaders Exeter by six points.

Brain and Paul Hull's side are now looking more and more like genuine promotion contenders – but, with half of the regular season and the play-offs still to come, they are not getting carried away.

"I think that gap between second and third is important – it's quite nice for us to have that cushion," said Brain.

"We've developed a lot over the last three games, but we're under no illusions – to win this competition we're going to have to continue to get better.

"If we had been the finished article out there, we'd have gone off the field having scored seven tries to their none, rather than five to one.

"We'll be a little bit disappointed with that, but I think the guys are working very hard in training and we can see a lot of the things we're working on paying off on the field, which is pleasing as a coach.

"We're going in the right direction, but there is no doubt we've got to keep improving."

Bristol Rugby face Exeter at Sandy Park on December 27 – but Brain is reluctant to talk about finishing on top of the Championship table.

Topping the pile in February would give Bristol an advantage in terms of their play-off pool – but the ultimate champions will not be decided until May.

"We won't be chasing the title as such – that won't be our focus," he said.

"It's about trying to get better every game. Obviously there will be games which will be benchmarks and yardsticks for how much we've improved – Bedford at home and Exeter away are two of those – and if those results go our way we'll be in with a real shout of getting the title.

"But the fact is that the title is something you achieve by performing well – and we've got to concentrate on performing well and improving."

Bristol Rugby now play two British & Irish Cup matches – away at Neath and Munster A – before returning to league action against Birmingham & Solihull on Sunday, December 6.