Hull's Bristol side have moved up to eighth in the Championship table

Bristol coach Paul Hull has praised his side's determination as they resisted a late surge from Plymouth to win 20-19.

Bristol were 14-3 up at the break and were grateful that Albion's fly-half Alex Davies missed a last-minute drop-goal to seal victory for the home side.

"We kept our heads and kept our lead throughout the game in difficult times," Hull told BBC Radio Bristol.

"You've got to remember we've lost a few [at the death] and they stayed strong right and showed character."

First-half tries from flanker James Merriman and centre Jack Adams put Bristol 11 points up at half time of Friday's game.

But a try from Plymouth number eight Aaron Carpenter and penalties from Mark Lee and Tom Kessell brought the home side back into it.

Our aim is to get back-to-back wins and we'll be all guns blazing next Sunday against Esher Paul Hull

And in the dying seconds Davies was just inches wide with a drop-goal attempt from 20 metres out in front of the posts.

"It was just outstanding that we won, it was a game we deserved and James Merriman showed great pace to force a slice from their kicker," said Hull.

"We've deserved to win a few games this season and it hasn't gone our way and it looked like it could have slipped away at the end but we got a lucky bounce.

"We defended really well in that last passage of play where we were disciplined and focussed."

Next up for Bristol is a home fixture against last season's promoted team Esher, who beat Hull's side 29-27 earlier in the campaign.

"I'm pleased with the win but we're really focussed on the next game already," he added.

"The captain Iain Grieve mentioned about training on Tuesday and really making sure we're focussed.

"Our aim is to get back-to-back wins and we'll be all guns blazing next Sunday against Esher."

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