LONDON Irish's unblemished record this season came under severe pressure in a one-point victory at Cornish Pirates.

Exiles made it 15 straight wins in all competitions on Saturday, but their success in Penzance was not without its nervy moments for Nick Kennedy's visitors.

In fact, Irish's superb run would have most likely come to an end had Pirates fly-half Will Cargill slotted home a conversion a minute from time after Tom Shannon's late try had set up a grandstand finish.

Luckily for Irish, Shannon shanked his kick wide as Kennedy's young side cemented their place at the top of Pool 2 of the British & Irish Cup, having toppled Pirates 33-24 in the return fixture at Madesjki Stadium the previous weekend.

Exiles name a youthful team littered with Academy players and they were only denied a second-minute try when Matt Williams fumbled the ball with a clear run to the line after a Ross Neal charge down.

But it was Pirates who grabbed the opening score when full-back Matt Evans stretched over in the far corner for a try which Cargill was unable to convert from out wide.

The hosts extended their lead to 8-0 soon after thanks to a Cargill penalty and they received a further boost when hooker Dave Porecki was sent to the sin bin for a shoulder charge at the ruck.

However, Irish hit back despite their numerical disadvantage, South African Richard Palframan going over under the posts from a powerful driving maul. Greig Tonks added the extras to leave the visitors 8-7 behind.

Tonks then landed a penalty of his own to put Irish 10-8 in front at half time.

With their tails now up, Exiles got the second period off to a blistering start by notching their second try of the day.

It came when England Under 20 star Joe Cokanasiga latched onto a loose ball before crashing over in the corner, with a sensational touchline conversion from Tonks increasing Irish lead to 17-8.

Pirates, though, soon stepped it up and threw everything they had at the visitors.

And they set up a tense finale when Cargill knocked over another penalty around the hour mark to make it 17-11 and leave them within a converted score of victory.

The chance finally came when Shannon burrowed over from a driving maul with a minute left on the clock.

But Cargill's conversion attempt sailed wide of the posts and Irish could celebrate a hard-fought victory that all but secures their place in the quarter finals.

Irish return to Greene King IPA Championship action this Saturday when they take on Richmond at the Richmond Athletic Ground (3pm).

Irish: Parton, Cokanasiga, Williams, Neal, Hearn, Tonks, Murphy, Elrington, Porecki, Palframan, Cooke, Sexton, Narraway (c), Gilsenan, Nayalo. Replacements: Hay, Hoskins, Frost, Ellis, Atkins, Brand, Loader.