WORCESTER Warriors head coach Jonathan Thomas admitted his side were "disappointed" with Exeter defeat and are focused on becoming "winners".

Worcester fought back from 14-0 down after 14 minutes to eventually lose 17-21 and take a losing bonus-point from the match. 

"We felt like we had an opportunity to win that game," said Thomas.

"I really believed we could do that and it proved with the opportunities we had.

"But really proud of the effort of the players. We had plenty of respect for Exeter as a club and what they have achieved but we want to create our own history over the next few years and we thought what better day to start that than today.

"Unfortunately we didn't quite get over the line."

Tries from Jonny Gray and Ian Whitten had the visitors up early on before Warriors fought back with an Oli Morris try and a Duncan Weir penalty to reduce the deficit at half-time to four points.

second-half started poorly for Worcester as Exeter's Devoto crossed for the third try but after Weir's somewhat strange try on 51 minutes, it was game on but eventually the reigning Premiership and European champions held on. 

"I think in the past we could have imploded in this sort of game, going 14-0 down," added Thomas.

"The yellow card early on hurt us and we conceded the two tries but thereafter I thought we were pretty heroic in all aspects of the game.

"But I am just proud that the players kept going and got back into the game and showed a lot of maturity.

"We could have won it.

"There were moments to do so, our scrum was outstanding so there were definitely moments in there for us to benefit from."

Despite being encouraged with the performance, and rightly so, Thomas admits the mindset needs to change and that winning mentality is what they're after.

"I suppose the main feeling right now is we're disappointed, it could have, maybe should have been a win really.

"We want to be winners and that's what we aim to do next week at Welford Road against Leicester."