Gloucester stayed out in front at the top of the Zurich Premiership after a hard-fought win over London Irish at Kingsholm.

The Cherry-and-Whites led 13-3 at the break with a try from their South African flanker Jake Boer, converted by fly-half Ludovic Mercier.

The Frenchman was also on target with a penalty, with Barry Everitt replying with one for the Exiles.

Gloucester added further scores through Junior Paramore and a penalty try on the resumption.

But Exiles wing Paul Sackey replied with two tries, both converted by Everitt, to ensure victory remained in doubt until the end.

Boer's early score was the only redeeming feature of a scrappy opening period.

After the break, it took Gloucester just eight minutes to extend their interval lead.

Irish were powerless to prevent another ominous drive, allowing number eight Paramore to claim the touchdown.

Mercier failed with the extras but was on target with a 60th-minute penalty after another Everitt strike had briefly reduced the arrears.

Everitt punished Gloucester when their hooker Olivier Azam was sin-binned by referee Robin Goodlinne for a professional foul, and Irish immediately made their temporary one-man advantage count.

The home side ran out of defensive numbers and skipper Ryan Strudwick gave the scoring pass to Sackey.

Everitt booted the touchline conversion, and Irish were still very much in contention at 18-13 adrift after 68 minutes.

But then came the penalty try.

Gloucester scrum half Andy Gomarsall had the ball ripped from his hands by an off-side Irish defender, and Mercier's conversion nudged Gloucester 25-15 up.

Sackey's second try cut the arrears but the Cherry and Whites held onto the win as well as the Premiership's top spot.

Gloucester: Paul; Delport, Fanolua, Todd, Beim; Mercier, Gomarsall; Roncero, Azam, Deacon, Fidler, Eustace, Boer, Forrester, Paramore.
Replacements: Stuart-Smith, Catling, Garvey, Elloway, Vickery, Rimmer, Buxton.

London Irish: Horak; Sackey, Burrows, Venter, Bishop; Everitt, Edwards; Worsley, Drotske, Halford, Strudwick, Kennedy, Gustard, Danaher, Sheasby.
Replacements: Barrett, Mapletoft, Cockle, Flavin, Delaney, Hatley, Hardwick.

Referee: Roy Maybank (RFU)