Paul Burke returned in style to steer Harlequins to a well-deserved victory over Wasps.

The Irish fly-half had been out of action for nearly two months after sustaining a knee injury playing against London Irish in September.

But he was quickly on song against Wasps and weighed in with 22 points for the south-west London side, with Nick Greenstock getting their other score.

Wasps' points came from a try by discarded England hooker Phil Greening and the boot of ex-England fly-half Alex King.

After King had kicked an early penalty for Wasps, Burke put the hosts 6-3 ahead with two of his own.

Centre Greenstock then created an eight-point cushion with the first try of the afternoon.

The score came after Alex Codling successfully took a line-out ball close to Wasps' line.

Burke converted and the 29-year-old then added a 40-metre drop goal to put Harlequins 16-3 up at the break.

King kicked two penalties for Wasps after the re-start to cut the deficit to seven points, before Burke slotted another penalty for Quins.

Trailing 19-9 Wasps then seized the initiative and they scored their only try when hooker Greening beat two men on his way to the line after 61 minutes.

However, King surprisingly missed the conversion, and Burke soon stretched Harlequins' lead to eight points again with another penalty.

Wasps tried to fight back but a mistake in injury time ensured Harlequins secured their fourth league win of the season.

A wayward pass put the visitors under pressure, and although Wasps regained possession, Burke charged down Stuart Abbot's clearance kick and crossed for the try.

Harlequins: N. Williams, Moore, Jewell, Greenstock, Gollings, Burke, Duncombe, Starr, Fuga, Gomez, Davison, Codling, Tiatia, Vos, Diprose. Replacements: Rudzki, Cardinalli, Evans, Sheriff, Bemand, Monye, Fitzgerald.

Wasps: Lewsey, Roiser, Abbott, Erinle, Logan, A. King, Howley, Dowd, Greening, Molloy, Beardshaw, Birkett, Lock, Volley, Scrivener. Replacements: Wood, van Gisbergen, Waters, Dallaglio, McCarthy, Mackenzie, Leota.

Referee: Steve Leyshon (RFU)