TWO last-gasp tries left Worcester Warriors shell-shocked after a cruel 32-22 Aviva Premiership Midlands derby defeat at Wasps.

Warriors led 22-20 until the final two minutes and looked worthy of their first away victory in the top-flight since March 2014.

Andy Symons kicked 17 points for Worcester and Cooper Vuna grabbed a try.

But tries from Frank Halai and Sailosi Tagicakibau, one converted by Jimmy Gopperth, crushed Warriors in the most heart-breaking fashion.

Worcester, who led 13-3 at the interval, frustrated Wasps and were the better side for 78 minutes but left the Ricoh Arena empty-handed.

Warriors lost Sam Betty (head injury) and wing Tom Biggs (ankle) and will need to pick themselves up after another painful defeat.

Betty was injured in an early collision and was replaced by Marco Mama after just two minutes.

Wasps had the impetus in the early exchanges and Joe Simpson exploited a gap but couldn't find the killer pass.

A powerful, jinking run from Vuna then won a penalty at the breakdown and Symons opened the scoring with his first three-pointer.

Wasps turned down two kickable penalties as they went for the corner but Warriors defended bravely and turned over the ball.

Biggs appeared to twist an ankle after chasing a kick-through and was replaced by Ben Howard after 19 minutes.

Warriors were committed at the breakdown and won another penalty decision that Symons slotted over to put the visitors 6-0 ahead after 26 minutes.

Wasps threatened from a huge driving maul but Warriors turned over the ball and struck the first try.

Vuna picked up a loose pass from Elliot Daley and sprinted 60 metres to touch down.

Symons’ touchline conversion put Warriors 12-0 ahead.

Warriors suffered a setback with four minutes remaining in the first half when Matt Cox was yellow-carded for a high tackle on Gopperth, who slid over the line.

However, Gopperth spilled the ball in the tackle and his resultant penalty cut Warriors’ lead to 13-3 at the interval.

Scrum-half Luke Baldwin replaced Charlie Mulchrone in a tactical switch at the break and Gopperth’s 44th-minute gave Wasps hope.

Wasps kept up the pressure and the lively Rob Miller burst through and off-loaded for Kearnan Myall to touch down under the posts.

Gopperth’s conversion levelled the match at 13-13 after 50 minutes.

Strong pressure from Warriors' forwards, with Phil Dowson and Niall Annett prominent, won a penalty in front of the Wasps posts and Symons’ three-pointer restored Worcester’s lead.

Warriors then enjoyed a spell of forward dominance and Ryan Mills’ drop-goal rattled a post and bounced down to safety.

Annett was floored by a high tackle and Symons’ fourth penalty extended Worcester’s lead to six points in the 63rd minute.

A scorching length-of-the-field break from Worcester after a turn-over deep inside their own 22 almost brought a second try for the visitors.

But Worcester had to settle for another penalty and Symons’ kick with 14 minutes left fired Warriors 22-13 ahead.

However, the game took a cruel twist.

Hereford’s Guy Thompson powered over from close range for the hosts and Gopperth’s conversion brought the Wasps within two points.

Warriors immediately changed their front row and Daly’s long-range penalty dropped short.

It got worse for Worcester with just two minutes remaining.

Wasps worked an opening down the left and Halai raced through to put the hosts ahead.

Then, in the last play of the game and with Worcester pushing for the win, Tagicakibau raced clear to notch Wasps' bonus-point try.

Gopperth rounded off the match with the conversion to leave Worcester’s players and fans feeling desolate.