LATE drama and heart-breaking defeats have been a familiar theme at Sixways over the years – but Worcester Warriors fans are now getting used to the celebrations.

Back in May, when Worcester clinched promotion from the Championship, a fly-half kicked Warriors to a stunning victory at the death.

On this occasion, however, it wasn’t Ryan Lamb, but former Edinburgh fly-half Tom Heathcote who supplied the golden touch.

Heathcote atoned for three missed penalties to strike a drop goal with the last kick to give Warriors a thrilling 13-12 win against Northampton Saints in their Aviva Premiership opener.

It was only the second time Worcester had won an opening fixture in the Premiership and their second success against Saints in 11 competitive outings.

Heathcote had earlier shown his attacking flair with a clever dummy and pass which set up the only try for Warriors skipper Gerrit-Jan van Velze against his former club.

But four penalty misses, including a long-rage effort from Ryan Mills which struck a post, had threatened to scupper Warriors’ chances.

Infact, when Stephen Myler landed his fourth penalty in the 79th minute to put Saints 12-10 ahead, Warriors looked destined for last-gasp heartache.

Instead, the hosts regained the restart and drove down field where Heathcote’s drop goal just had enough energy to sneak over the posts.

The win was no less than Worcester deserved after van Velze had his best game in a Warriors shirt and former Northampton flanker Phil Dowson outstanding against his old club.

Munster legend Donncha O’Callaghan stood up to the physical onslaught from the visitors and former Cornish Pirates lock Darren Barry caught the eye on his Premiership debut.

There were seven players in Warriors’ starting 15 who made their competitive debuts for the club, including prop Na’ama Leleimalefaga, a late call-up for injured Val Rapava Ruskin.

The former Montpellier forward lasted the entire 80 minutes and formed a strong front row with Nick Schonert and Niall Annett against Saints’ Alex Waller, Dylan Hartley and Kieran Brookes.

Warriors’ pack struggled during the warm-up matches but they showed up much better on Friday.

Jonny Arr was a steady influence at scrum-half and kicked intelligently, while Tom Biggs made several incisive runs and threw his weight into tackles.

Wynand Olivier and Ryan Mills formed a solid centre partnership, with the South African making a powerful surge in the second-half.

Myler fired the visitors ahead and extended their advantage with a second penalty. But Warriors gradually grew in confidence and Heathcote slotted a close-range penalty.

A spill from Saints wing Ken Pisi highlighted the sloppiness of Saints’ play and Heathcote ghosted behind Saints’ defence before offloading for van Velze to dive over. Heathcote landed the conversion as Worcester took a narrow 10-6 lead into the break.

Myler’s third penalty cut the hosts’ lead to one point before Heathcote and Mills were off target with shots at goal.

Warriors looked set to pay the price when Myler edged Saints ahead.

But Warriors kept their nerve and Heathcote’s drop goal got the hosts off to a winning start which few had predicted.