Bristol have pulled off one of the big shocks of the Heineken Cup with a compelling win against France's Montferrand.

With 12 full internationals, Montferrand had started as one of the pre-tournament favourites.

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But a string of errors, some potent defending by the Shoguns and a 19-point haul by Felipe Contepomi proved too much.

Three long-range penalties from the Argentine fly-half were the only scores of the first half as opposite number Gerald Merceron failed with his two attempts.

But the scoreline could have been dramatically different had the French taken a flurry of chances available to them.

Montferrand captain Oliver Magne was the major villain, attempting a farcical drop goal and wasting two try-scoring opportunities.

After 12 minutes he passed to lock Olivier Brouzet rather than Merceron, who was in acres of space.

And worse was to come two minutes later when he sent the ball into touch rather than the hands of team-mate and former Leicester forward Richard Cockerill.

The handling errors of the first half were replaced by some fiery fracas after the interval and some stunning running rugby.

Bristol's until then immovable defence finally crumbled 10 minutes after the break.

David Bory was the first over the line, as replacement Lee Best committed himself too early in the tackle, enabling Bory to slice through two tackles and put the ball under the posts.

The Shoguns, though, refused to buckle and Shane Drahm left Montferrand red faced 10 minutes later.

Hailed by coach Peter Thorburn as his side's most skilful player, he made a mockery of Merceron, turning the French international en route to the line.

Drahm missed an easy kick as did Merceron two minutes later when Tony Marsh, with his first real attack of the day, scored Montferrand's second try.

A forward pass by Johnny Ngauamo to Raphael Chanal was missed by referee Nigel Whitehouse and Chanal laid off to Marsh for an easy run in.

That put the pressure back on Bristol but Contepomi's converted try sealed the win despite a Gregory Sudre try with the last move of the match.

Bristol: Drahm, Rees, Higgins, Gibson, Christophers, Contepomi, Pichot, Sheridan, Johnstone, Crompton, Archer, A. Brown, Short, Lipman, Oakley.
Replacements: E. Bergamaschi, Rowland, Salter, Nelson, Carrington, Best, Richards.

Montferrand: Viars, J. Marlu, Ngauamo, Marsh, D. Bory, Merceron, Von Hoeslin, Tolofua, Cockerill, Bozzi, Lecomte, Brouzet, Audebert, Magne, Vermeulen.
Replacements: Taofifenua, Siepelski, Vaitanaki, Raynaud, Sudre, Sadourny, Chanal.

Referee: Nigel Whitehouse (Wales)