London Irish kept their slim playoff hopes alive with a comfortable 28-8 defeat of Bristol at the Madejski Stadium - ending their run of three consecutive defeats.

Tries from Stuart Mackie, Seilala Mapusua and Peter Hewat gave the Exiles a much-needed boost ahead of Saturday's Heineken Cup quarter-final against Perpignan.

The two sides traded penalties early on, before hooker Mackie scored after excellent work from Topsy Ojo (pictured) to put London Irish ahead. Hewat slotted the conversion, followed by a penalty to open a 13-3 lead at half-time.

Bristol were reduced to 14 men shortly after the break, when prop Jason Hobson was sin-binned for obstruction - conceding a penalty which Hewat converted in the process.

The home side made the most of their one-man advantage, and Hewat went over for a try of his own after 55 minutes.

The influential Australian ended the afternoon with an impressive haul of 18 points, and it was his neat work which led to Mapusua touching down just after the hour mark to put the Irish out of reach.

There was still time for Bristol winger Tom Arscott to grab a late consolation try, but the afternoon belonged to Hewat and the Exiles.

So comfortable was the nature of their victory, that Brian Smith was able to make a slew of late substitutions.

After a composed performance at fly-half, Mike Catt was among them - the ex-England international making way for Eoghan Hickey, presumably with the Heineken Cup in mind.

Despite earning all four points, London Irish remain in eighth place in the Guinness Premiership, and will need results to go their way if play-off hopes are to be realised.

As for Bristol, there was little positive to be garnered from a wholly lacklustre performance.

Will Tidey / Eurosport