Bristol coach Dean Ryan paid tribute to skipper Jason Little after the Australian's two-try haul handed the west country outfit victory at Harlequins.

The former Wallaby international scored a brace, with fellow Australian Shane Drahm kicking 18 points as Bristol avenged their opening day defeat by Sale.

"Jason is a class act both on and off the field," said Ryan.

"We had Andrew Higgins and Philip Christophers in only their second league game but in Little you have a guy who has done everything and it shows.

"That was the purpose behind putting together that combination. But we are still letting in tries at crucial times, probably because we are missing Adam Vander (back injury) at openside flanker.

"The pack is starting to produce the goods but I am not getting carried away by this result.

"I've always been excited by the group of people I've now got and now they have to keep getting better."

Little's first try was created as he intercepted a pass from Quins fly-half Paul Burke, while his second came from a Drahm chip ahead and pick-up.

Quins led 20-10 at the interval after tries from Burke and England wing Dan Luger with the former Ireland international converting both and adding two penalties.

Bristol's reply came from a try from number eight Ben Sturnham, converted by Drahm who also added a 25 metre penalty.

"We played enough rugby to win two or three games today but two schoolboy errors cost us 14 points and you can't do that at this level," said Quins head coach John Kingston.

"In the first half we got it about right. We played positional football, retained the ball and generally defended well.

"We got two bonus points which is better than playing in a sterile 9-9 draw.

"Losing 38-32 in the manner which we did was better than last week's performance against London Irish when we didn't perform."

Bristol pulled in front after the break with Little's two tries converted by Drahm who also kicked two penalties including one from the half way taking advantage of the wind at his back.

Nick Greenstock scored Quins third try on the hour but Bristol kept themselves in front with a Drahm penalty and a try from replacement flanker Matt Salter.

Scrum-half Scot Bemad grabbed a late consolation for the home side.