Wasps will request a Rugby Football Union review of referee Robin Goodliffe's performance during their drawn Zurich Premiership clash against Leeds.

Rugby director Warren Gatland and captain Rob Howley were furious after the Londoners saw a 27-6 lead wiped out as second-placed Tykes fought back to share the spoils yesterday.

"I am flabbergasted with some of the decisions. We are going to make an official complaint about it," said Gatland.

"If another couple of injury-time minutes had been played then we would have been down by another three points.

"I said to the referee that he didn't give us a chance to play rugby. There was just absolute frustration in the dressing room.

"We are going to go through the video - and we will ask the RFU to have a look at it too."

Howley, acting captain in place of unavailable England star Lawrence Dallaglio, added: "The referee had a major bearing on the result - there can be no doubt about that."

Wasps, still unbeaten at their new Adams Park home in Wycombe, stormed 21 points clear as wing Shane Roiser and flanker Paul Volley scored tries.

But Braam van Straaten's prodigious right boot brought Leeds back into contention before hooker Mark Regan touched down and full-back Dan Scarbrough's late score completed the fightback.

Leeds nonetheless lost ground on leaders Gloucester, whose thumping 40-19 success at struggling London Irish opened up a six-point gap at the top.

Gloucester scrum-half Andy Gomarsall pressed his England claims to feature against world champions Australia next Saturday by producing a commanding display as the visitors dominated despite being without internationals James Simpson-Daniel, Trevor Woodman and Phil Vickery.

Forwards Adam Eustace, Junior Paramore, James Forrester, Jake Boer and Rodrigo Roncero scored tries to leave Irish in 11th place - just one position above Bristol Shoguns.

Bristol encountered few problems against Newcastle, who offered a feeble Memorial Stadium challenge without their talisman leader Jonny Wilkinson.

Bristol were home and dry by half-time, securing a try bonus point in the process as Phil Christophers (2), Felipe Contepomi, Andrew Higgins and Brendon Daniel touched down.

"It was disappointing," said Falcons rugby director Rob Andrew.

"We just didn't front up, got muscled out out of it - and the game was over by half-time."

Bath ended a depressing run of seven league matches without victory by defeating Recreation Ground visitors Sale Sharks 24-18.

Olly Barkley and Chris Malone kicked 14 points between them, while Bath also notched a penalty try and first-half Tom Voyce touchdown. Sale, who had scrum-half Nick Walshe sin-binned, scored tries through wing Steve Hanley and centre Graeme Bond.

Bath fly-half Mike Catt did not last the distance, though. His troublesome hamstring continued to hamper him, guaranteeing further close monitoring from club medical staff.

His prospects of being involved for England against either Australia or South Africa on Saturday week would appear bleak.

Saracens edged out Vicarage Road visitors Harlequins 36-30 but were given a major fright after threatening to blow a 23-point lead.

Kyran Bracken, Tim Horan and Richard Haughton collected first-half tries; yet it took prop Andy Kershaw's late score to give Saracens the points after Quins trio Matt Moore (2), Andre Vos and Nick Duncombe grabbed touchdowns during a thrilling fightback.

"We played like fairies in the second half and nearly got beaten. We just panicked and lost control," said Saracens coach Wayne Shelford.