Worcester's Joe Carlisle tries to tackle Gloucester's Lesley Vainikolo
Worcester Warriors ended their six-year stay in the Premiership with a one-point loss to neighbours Gloucester.
But they nearly snatched victory with the last kick of the game when replacement Willie Walker hit a 22-metre drop-goal against an upright.
Tries by Akapusi Qera, Lesley Vainikolo and Scott Lawson had put Gloucester in a strong position.
But Worcester battled and after Chris Pennell and Alex Grove efforts, Chris Latham's try set up a tense finish.
But as Worcester went for only their fifth league win of the season, Walker was narrowly off target and Gloucester cleared to touch to secure a narrow victory.
Gloucester Rugby Head Coach Bryan Redpath told BBC Radio Gloucestershire:
"That was our worst performance since October, some of our basics and execution was dreadful.
"11 months and one week ago we started pre-season so it's been a long old year for everyone involved, so it's important that we get away.
"You have to respect Worcester and their fans. It's not easy to go down and I'm sure they'll be back next season.
"As a Gloucester player or supporter, we'd appreciate the derby game."
Worcester caretaker coach Andrew Stanley:
"There were a couple of structural errors that we needed to get right today which we didn't and were punished for them by Gloucester.
"This was potentially a very difficult week for us, coming off the back of the Leeds game and the fallout from that but we sat down as a group and challenged the boys to show some character, stand up for themselves and take it on.
"The performance showed that they were fantastic in that respect and we are proud of their effort, energy and commitment."
Worcester: Latham, Pennell, Grove, Rasmussen, Garvey, Carlisle, Silver, A. Black, Lutui, Sourgens, Kitchener, Gillies, Wood, Collins, Horstmann. Replacements: MacRae for Rasmussen (48), Walker for Garvey (75), C. Black for A. Black (55), Fortey for Lutui (65), Gilding for Sourgens (44). Not Used: Bowley, Cox, Frost.
Gloucester: Morgan, Simpson-Daniel, Tindall, Molenaar, Vainikolo, Robinson, R. Lawson, Wood, S. Lawson, Doran-Jones, Attwood, Brown, Buxton, Qera, Narraway. Replacements: Sharples for Tindall (75), Taylor for Robinson (75), Pasqualin for R. Lawson (65), Dickinson for Wood (61), Somerville for Doran-Jones (55), James for Attwood (75), Strokosch for Qera (58).
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