Exhilarating or exhibition stuff? Whichever side of the ringed fence you sit, maybe it pays to just savour the game of the season and a record‑breaking draw after a last-gasp chance to win it for London Irish went begging. Always leave them wanting more, they say, and Irish managed just that, wasting a glorious chance to snatch victory having at one point been 25 points behind the league leaders Bristol. Had Tom Parton, who like his fellow London Irish replacements played a key part in turning this contest on its head, found one of a number teammates on his inside with the last play of the match the Exiles would be celebrating a remarkable victory until St Patrick’s Day. As it was, the ball went to ground and brought an end to this breathless, bonkers draw. Did the fact that relegation no longer looms as a threat for Irish play its part? Perhaps, but then again these two sides were both in the Championship not so long ago. As always there are arguments for and against but the hope must be this kind of ambition becomes infectious across the league. Irish have form for comeback draws this season but repeating the feat did not look likely after a first half illuminated by Bristol’s Charles Piutau and Siva Naulago, who together led the home side a merry dance. Naulago finished the match with two tries to enhance his burgeoning reputation and such was his showing in the first half it pays to remember he is English qualified. Piutau, however, seemed to be playing a different game altogether. It did not necessarily feel like it at the time, therefore, but Steve Mafi’s try just before the break, to send London Irish in 18 points behind, gave them something to hang on to. They have a habit of loading their bench and Nick Phipps, Agustín Creevy and Sean O’Brien all made a significant difference. “We were a pass away from winning it,” said the London Irish director of rugby, Declan Kidney. “If you have good people with the spirit our lads have, and you chip away at it, you can bring it back.” The writing looked on the wall for Irish when Bristol built an early 17-3 lead even with Sam Bedlow in the sin-bin for a tip tackle. Both of Bristol’s tries came from interceptions but both were fabulous finishes. Piutau may have lost half a yard of pace amid all those niggling injuries but his class is such that he stayed calm as Ben Loader reeled him in and flung a pass over his shoulder for Andy Uren to ship on to Piers O’Conor to score. The second try was picked off by Naulago, who was not going to be stopped. Bristol had a third try when Chris Vui flopped over under the posts and their fourth was the pick of their tries, Piutau twice exchanging passes with Naulago down the left, ultimately putting his winger away for the kind of score that takes the breath away. Mafi’s pick-and-go gave Irish hope at the interval, however. Callum Sheedy extended Bristol’s lead but steadily Kidney emptied the bench and Irish chipped away at the deficit. First Theo Brophy-Clews went over on the right after fine work from O’Brien and then Phipps – all sniping energy – brought Irish to within touching distance. Their fourth was a peach too, with Parton eventually finishing off after endless waves of attack. Irish were scenting the unlikeliest of victories by then but ultimately the final pass let them down. “[The players] have got to get used to not being the underdogs like they were a few years ago,” said Bristol’s director of rugby, Pat Lam. “The players are favourites now. To play with a big lead, they have to be even more dogged.”