Ospreys were out for revenge with their last GUINNESS PRO12 defeat coming at the hands of Zebre in Parma in May, but made the worst possible start as an early Giulio Bisegni try helped the hosts to an 8-6 half-time lead.

Although Sam Davies missed four penalties after replacing the injured Dan Biggar, his five successful kicks were enough to get the visitors over the line and escape Italy with their winning record intact.

Man-of-the-match Gonzalo Garcia kicked marvellously for the hosts, scoring nine points, but saw a penalty attempt from his own half cannon back off the crossbar, which could have made all the difference.

Ospreys started the stronger side and put the Zebre back three under immediate pressure kicking high up-and-unders from the hands.

But it was Zebre who opened the scoring after five minutes, Giulio Toniolatti feeding Bisegni on the left to charge over for the first try of the evening, although Luciano Orquera failed to add the extras.

Ospreys' evening went from bad to worse when in-form fly-half Biggar was forced off the field straight after, with Davies replacing him.

The Welsh side persisted with their game plan and barraged opposition full-back David Odiete with high up-and-unders, before Davies answered on 13 minutes with a sweetly struck penalty from the 22.

Orquera's boot continued to misfire as the fly-half missed the chance to extend Zebre's lead two minutes later, pushing a 40-metre attempt right of the target.

Garcia then took over kicking duties and was successful with his first effort after Morgan Allen was penalised for not releasing, making it 8-3 to the hosts after 23 minutes.

Davies then failed to move Ospreys within two from 40 metres, after Andrea Manici was penalised at the breakdown on 34 minutes.

The fly-half made his next kick count from the left touchline, before missing another from almost the same spot as the clock ticked into the red to leave it 8-6 to the Italian side at the interval.

Ospreys were looking for a massive response after the break but again started poorly and conceded a penalty in the middle of the park, allowing Garcia to add to his tally from 40 metres.

Davies kept Ospreys in touch with his third successful kick of the evening on 52 minutes as the introduction of Welsh international Alun Wyn-Jones made a difference for the visitors.

A rash decision from Toniolatti saw him sent to the sin-bin after 57 minutes as he needlessly came over the top with his side relatively in control before Davies pulled his resulting attempt at goal wide.

Zebre remained aggressive in defence and were soon rewarded by turning the ball over and winning a penalty just inside their own half, which Garcia stuck beautifully but saw rattle the crossbar.

That appeared to be a turning point as Ospreys finally made their pressure count with Davies converting a penalty from the centre of the park for his 100th Ospreys point to give them the lead for the first time in the game.

But Garcia was on form to strike another penalty through the posts from the left on 69 minutes to restore the hosts' lead only for Davies to curl the ball through the posts once more from the touchline two minutes later to make it 15-14.

Ospreys expertly retained possession in the closing stages and prevented Zebre from getting hands on the ball for the final five minutes to close out a hard-fought win.

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