Defeat for the west country club would have condemned them to relegation three games inside the distance after a miserable season.

But they conjured up an unlikely bonus point victory against the 11th-placed Warriors, recording only their second Premiership success of the campaign.

Bristol could go down next Saturday if they lose against title play-off contenders London Irish at the Madejski Stadium, yet they can take great heart from a display that bristled with confidence.

They had a few nervous moments after seeing a 17-0 lead clawed back to just two points, but then finished strongly against a woefully out-of-sorts Worcester side.

Worcester are now nine points above Bristol, and they could have few complaints after being shredded by tries from full-back Tom Arscott, lock Mariano Sambucetti, centre Junior Fatialofa, wing Lee Robinson (two) and substitute scrum-half Haydn Thomas.

Bristol could even afford fly-half Ed Barnes to miss four out of six conversion attempts, while Arscott's drop-goal ensured Worcester did not threaten a losing bonus point.

It was the first time since October 2007 that Bristol have scored five tries or more in a Premiership game, and Worcester were left to reflect on possibly their worst performance under rugby director Mike Ruddock.

Tries by centre Dale Rasmussen and number eight Kai Horstmann briefly put them in the contest, while full-back Willie Walker - on loan from Gloucester - slotted two penalties and a conversion, yet Bristol were full value for the win.