Harlequins’ Paul Gustard was left seething after his side’s second-half collapse in their 27-20 defeat by Saracens.

Quins 17-6 lead at the break in the Olympic Stadium counted for nothing as a Schalk Burger try and a Will Skelton brace turned the tie on its’ head.

Gustard was left less than impressed with his side’s display in front of a 43,000 strong crowd.

"We were almost the worst version of ourselves," he said.

"It was a good first 40 minutes, but not even an average second 40.

"There was bickering, we got frustrated and our set-piece didn't function.

“We were clinging on.

"We've got a point and our season isn't defined by Saracens away, but this was frustrating.

“We were only two or three per cent off."

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Controversial Decisions

The defeat means Quins drop a point behind Gloucester in the table after their win over Wasps, while Saracens remain in second, 13-points above Quins and nine behind runaway league leaders Exeter.

Mark McCall believes his side deserved the victory, questioning a number of calls from referee JP Doyle.

"There was that curve ball and a couple of disallowed tries and we could have felt sorry for ourselves but we didn't and we became the kind of team we want to be.”

McCall was referring to Billy Vunipola and David Strettle’s disallowed tries which were controversial.

Vunipola’s try was disallowed when the referee felt he had impeded Chris Robshaw’s attempt at tackling the England Number 8 as he crossed over.

Strettle’s score was annulled for an off the ball incident involving Danny Care and Liam Williams, and odd decision as Saracens were awarded the penalty advantage following the sin-binning of both players.

"I don't know what happened with the clock just before half-time, but I thought Billy's try was a try. JP Doyle doesn't disrupt Chris Robshaw at all.

"And I don't really know why David Strettle's try was disallowed. It doesn't matter in some respects because we took charge and scored right away."

Harlequins face Worcester Warriors in the Challenge Cup quarter-final next Saturday evening.

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