LONDON Irish chief Nick Kennedy hailed his players' resilience after they survived a Bedford Blues fightback to win 30-23.

Exiles extended their winning start to the Green King IPA Championship season to three matches with a gritty display at Goldington Road.

Ben Franks, Johnny Williams, Topsy Ojo And Max Northcote-Green scored Irish's tries to secure the bonus-point victory.

But the day was not without its nervy moments after Blues hit back from 22-11 down to lead 23-22 after David Paice had been sinbinned early in the second half.

Thankfully, Exiles still had time to regroup and retake the lead thanks to Northcote-Green's late score.

Exiles director of rugby Kennedy said: “It was an extremely close game and we knew it was going to be close coming here.

“Bedford are a great team and they play some great rugby and they have a very organised defence.

“Last year they put 64 points on London Welsh and they beat Bristol, who went onto win the competition so I’m very pleased to come away with the win.”

The victory leaves London Irish top of the table, one point ahead of Yorkshire Carnegie.

But Kennedy insists there is more to come from his squad as they prepare to host Ealing Trailfinders at Madejski Stadium this Sunday (3pm ko).

“We are learning about this league as we go and we are trying to become a better team both on and off the pitch,” he explained.

“We are working on our togetherness as well as working hard in training on aspects of our rugby.”