Bristol 26-35 Exeter Chiefs

Dan Norton is Bristol's top try scorer with five touchdowns in five games

Bristol lost their 100% record in the Championship as they suffered a disappointing home defeat by West Country rivals Exeter Chiefs.

"We started poorly and were 13 points down early in the game and you can't afford to start games like that," head coach Paul Hull told BBC Radio Bristol.

Exeter scored two tries in the first half to take a 23-6 lead at the break.

Bristol hit back with tries from Junior Fatialofa and Dan Norton to draw level but Exeter eventually ran out winners.

Bristol now lie third in the table on 18 points, the same as second-placed Nottingham, and four points behind leaders Exeter.

"At 23-6 down at half-time we knew we had to dig deep in the second-half and the boys did that," said Hull.

Errors on our side cost us dearly as they capitalised on them

Paul Hull

"They came out strong and got back to 23 all and I thought then that the momentum was with us.

"But a mistake in our own 22 at the line-out and they capitalised on it and that was the game."

Bristol were chasing the game from the outset after conceding two early penalties as Exeter went 6-0 up.

Then Bristol fly-half Adrian Jarvis tried an ill-judged chip kick on the Exeter 22-metre line which was easily intercepted.

Exeter's Gareth Steenson ran the length of the pitch before passing to Matt Cornwell to touch down under the posts.

Bristol did make some good breaks but some poor decision-making cost them two guilt-edged chances for tries of their own.

Just before half-time Exeter extended their lead when their forwards bundled over the line after some concerted pressure with Richie Baxter credited with the try.

Bristol were at their most impressive at the start of the second half as well-worked tries from centre Junior Fatialofa and winger Dan Norton helped them draw level.

However, Bristol were guilty of giving away possession too easily and Exeter took advantage to score two tries of their own, through centre Phil Dollman and hooker Sam Alcott, to take all the points.