Canna holds his nerve to sink Bristol at the death

PAT LAM cut a frustrated figure as his Bristol side suffered last gasp heartache at the hands of Carlo Canna.

With the scores level at 17-17 after 80 minutes, the Italy international nailed a tricky penalty to give Zebre the win.

The 26-year-old was responsible for 15 of Zebre’s points, including a fine solo try, while powerful loose forward Jimmy Tuivaiti also touched down.

“I am frustrated,” said Lam. “I told the boys we should have been 30 points ahead. We had a penalty and we missed touch, we had another penalty which we put into their half and then we lose the lineout.

“The main thing about growing as a team is everyone has to get their piece right and unfortunately at this level if you make mistakes there are consequences.”

Bristol full-back Tom Pincus scored a brace of tries while Callum Sheedy notched seven points with the boot.

Pincus opened the scoring when he crossed at the corner for his first try for the club after some neat handling by his inside backs.

Canna levelled the scores when he ghosted his way past three defenders to touch down between the posts for a try which he converted.

With the bit between their teeth Michael Bradley’s side continued to apply pressure in the Bristol 22 with Tuivaiti eventually crashing over from short range for their second try.

But the west country outfit hit back at the stroke of half-time when Pincus collected a perfectly weighted cross kick from Sheedy for his second to level the scores at the interval.

The second half was a cagey affair with both sides struggling to gain the upper hand but Canna nudged Zebre ahead with a penalty.

Steven Luatua came mightily close to crossing the try line for Bristol but he was called back with the officials ruling the ball had been knocked forward in the tackle.

After some resolute defence from Zebre, Sheedy managed to tie the scores at 17-17 with a penalty from 35m.

Zebre’s task became trickier when hooker Luhandre Luus was sent to the sin bin for a deliberate knock-on.

But the hosts dug deep and with full time approaching Bristol were penalised for going off their feet at the breakdown. Up stepped Canna who showed nerves of steel to hit the winner.