WORCESTER Warriors's place in the Premiership Rugby Cup semi-finals remains to be secured as they let slip a ten-point lead with 14 minutes to go in their 31-29 defeat at Exeter Chiefs.

The visitors would have taken a giant step towards confirming their place in the final four of the competition but Max Norey's third try secured a dramatic late win for the hosts in the 77th minute of the game.

Both sides exchanged tries in the first-half with the scores tied up at 19-19 at half-time but replacement Isaac Miller came on to score the bonus-point try for Worcester in the 55th minute to make it a ten-point game at 19-29.

Danny Southworth came on for the hosts and touched down in the 66th minute and the conversion was converted to bring it back to 26-29 before Norey scrambled over with three minutes to play to secure the narrowest of wins.

It had been a dominant start from the Chiefs as their forward pack asserted their dominance early doors and off the back of that, Teague crashed over from close range to open the scoring.

Warriors responded however and Alex Hearle raced over after swatting off a few tacklers to tie things up.

Exeter again reverted to their forwards to get front foot ball and more ill discipline from Warriors saw them forced back before a quick penalty was taken from hooker Norey and he stretched over for the second try from just a few metres out.

But Worcester this time came roaring back and Howe crossed with ease in the corner thanks to Jamie Shillcock's floating pass after a kick to the corner and then a mistake from Exeter enabled scrum-half Will Chudley to dot down soon after to take the lead for the first time.

But just as half-time approached, the hosts pulled themselves level as a well-worked set piece move fooled the Worcester forwards and Norey benefitted to scorch over unopposed.

Worcester were more controlled in the second half and dominated proceedings.

Exeter made changes and their discipline began to falter and Worcester took advantage by kicking to the corner and eventually replacement Miller scored from a well executed driving maul.

Shillcock had also kicked a penalty before the try and at 19-29, the win looked secured but nerves began to jangle and second-row Southworth touched down to set up a tense final ten minutes.

And then a penalty on half-way was kicked to the corner and a few phases later, Norey got his third of the afternoon in the corner to seal the victory.

Worcester do go top of the table with 12 points from three games and qualification to the semis remains in their hands with one game to go, against Bath, in 10 days time.