WORCESTER Warriors stepped up a gear when they needed it most to breeze past one of their play-off rivals and soar to the top of the Greene King IPA Championship table.

Warriors director of rugby Dean Ryan acknowledged afterwards that it doesn’t really matter where his side are sitting heading into the festive period.

What matters most, of course, is that Warriors qualify for the end-of-season play-offs and then win the knock-out stages to secure a return to the Premiership.

Warriors showed that when the chips are down they have players capable of raising their levels and that was clearly visible in the final 10 minutes.

Worcester’s backs were against the wall when Jonathan Thomas and Leo Senatore were yellow-carded in quick succession and then Scottish scored a converted try to reduce the deficit to 22-17 with 15 minutes remaining.

But two late touchdowns from Sam Smith after good vision and skills from Ryan Lamb sealed Warriors’ triumph and sent the large band of Warriors' fans home in good voice.

That is now 14 successive victories in all competitions for Ryan’s men and it inflicted a first home league defeat of the season on third-placed Scottish.

There were some rusty elements in Warriors’ play, most notably the erratic line-out throws from hooker Gus Creevy, who struggled with the breeze, and their fragility when defending Scottish’s driving mauls.

But Lamb was a calming and creative influence and had his best game in a Warriors’ shirt since returning from injury.

Skipper Gerrit-Jan van Velze showed his Premiership qualities too with some important carries and a try from a quick tap-penalty, which caught out the home defence.

The afternoon started and finished well for Warriors with van Velze’s pass gifting Nick Schonert a third-minute try on his return after injury.

Warriors extended their advantage when Val Rapava Ruskin dabbed down after a strong forward drive and Lamb converted.

Peter Lydon slotted a penalty for the hosts before Scottish rallied with Mark Bright crashing over for a converted try from a driving maul.

Lydon’s long-range penalty attempt fell short as Warriors, who were under pressure for most of the half, led 12-10 at the break.

Lamb’s penalty stretched the visitors’ lead to 15-10 before referee Dean Richards dished out his first yellow card to home replacement Cheevy Pennycook.

Van Velze caught Scottish’s defence napping when he ran unopposed to the line for Warriors’ third try and Lamb’s conversion extended their cushion to 22-10.

But Warriors were reduced to 14 men when Thomas was yellow-carded for a trip and he was joined in the sin-bin moments later by Senatore.

Scottish made their two-man advantage count. Bright was driven over for his second try and Lydon’s conversion brought the hosts to within five points of Warriors.

With the home fans sensing a comeback, Warriors stepped up a gear. Smith, who had an otherwise quiet game, gathered Lamb’s cross-kick in the right corner for Warriors’ fourth try.

After home forward James Phillips was yellow-carded, Smith wrapped up the game, collecting Lamb’s long pass for a simple run-in at the corner.

Lamb slotted the touchline conversion to complete Warriors’ eighth win from nine Championship matches.