Warriors Facing Do-Or-Die Crunch

Jan 13 2008 David Kelso Reports

Viadana 15 Glasgow 18

GLASGOW set up a decisive Heineken Cup showdown with Saracens despite failing to capture the bonus point against the Italians.

Sean Lineen's men now tackle the English giants at Firhill on Friday needing a bonus point triumph to keep alive their quarter-final qualification dream - at least as one of the best pool runners-up.

Warriors had been frustrated after only edging victory against stubborn Viadana.

But their mood changed when news came through that pacesetters Sarries had thrashed Biarritz to effectively end the French outfit's challenge.

Relieved coach Lineen said: "I'm just delighted we won - that's the first away success for Glasgow in 28 Heineken Cup games.

"There was no bonus point but it had been lashing down all day and the ground was extremely soft.

"I'll happily take the win.We only scored two tries but also created both their scores."

Lineen was less happy at the referee's performance and said: "They made it hard for us and the weak referee made it hard by letting anything go."

Both sides made a jittery start and Viadana were handed the first chance when Glasgow were ruled offside but former Warriors hero Calvin Howarth sent his effort past the post.

Play continued to be messy until midway through the first half when the contest burst in to life as Glasgow surged ahead with a superblyworked try by breakaway forward Kelly Brown.

Colin Gregor made the telling thrust into the danger zone and after he was hauled down the alert Dan Parks launched a lovely chip to the right flank.

Brown was lurking all on his own and after bouncing off the challenge of Kaine Robertson he was left with a cruise to the line.

Parks followed up with a pinpoint conversion but Warriors' joy lasted a matter of seconds.

From the restart by Howarth, Glasgow skipper Ally Kellock palmed the ball loose ball and the home side created a of sequence of moves that led to South African Jacobs Erasmus ploughing over.

Howarth made amends for his penalty bungle by slotting the goal from an awkward angle.

Warriors suffered a major setback four minutes before the break when Howarth's kick was gathered by Colin Shaw who slipped on the greasy surface. He was engulfed by several markers and gave away a penalty. Erasmus caught the defence on the hop with a quick tapped kick before driving over.

Howarth missed the conversion before Parks kicked a penalty.

After the break Parks booted another penalty but it wasn't until the final quarter that Glasgow took control with Argentine full-back Bernie Stortoni scoring.

Sub Corrado Pilat narrowed the leeway to just three with a penalty five minutes from the end but the Warriors held out.