Leicester ended a run of six successive defeats in all competitions with a laboured 19-15 victory at home to Aviva Premiership bottom side London Irish.

Matt Toomua, Jonny May and Manu Tuilagi, on his 100th Leicester appearance, scored the tries that earned the Tigers their first Premiership win since November 19.

Joe Cokanasiga and Alex Lewington replied for a resolute Irish.

Leicester chairman Peter Tom had written in his programme notes that “this is not where we want or need to be” after a dreadful run which has seen them lose six successive games in all competitions – including four in the Premiership – three at the one-time fortress, Welford Road.

The warning did not appear to do the trick because the Leicester fans had to wait 36 minutes before the Tigers rattled the scoreboard, centre Toomua finishing off a lovely move for a try, converted by George Ford, which put Leicester 7-5 ahead at half-time.

Leicester, under-powered up front and lacking creativity in the backs, looked like a side devoid of confidence and struggled to impose themselves on an Irish side in bottom place on nine points, with just one win.

Leicester made one change from the side hammered at Exeter – flanker Brendon O’Connor returning to the pack, while Irish were unchanged.

England fly-half Ford wasted much of their possession, ignoring one of the Premiership’s best centre pairings, Toomua and Tuilagi by throwing out long passes to the wingers.

It was a Ford mistake which led to Irish opening the scoring in the 21st minute.

He dallied too long in his own 22, lost the ball in contact, and winger Joe Cokanasiga hacked on and won the race to the touchdown, the referee taking several looks at replays before awarding the try.

Greig Tonks missed the conversion and then Cokanasiga prevented a certain try at the other end with a last ditch tackle on winger Adam Thompstone five minutes later.

England winger Jonny May, playing at full-back and Leicester’s one bright spark, got his reward for a fine performance with a well worked try two minutes after the interval. Ford missed the conversion.

Tonks reduced the arrears with a 56th minute penalty but the Exiles were forced to withstand some intense pressure from Leicester.

The hosts passed up several penalties in their search for a try, number eight Sione Kalamofoni coming the closest before Tuilagi hurdled a pile of bodies to score eight minutes from time, with Ford converting.

Winger Lewington scored for Irish two minutes later, Tonks kicking the conversion, but the visitors were unable to find another way through as Leicester held on to secure an overdue victory.

What they said

Leicester head coach Matt O’Connor: “What we have demonstrated, in bits and pieces, is that we can compete. There are a lot of teams that get bullied at Exeter but we were good for 50 minutes. We pushed Saracens and Wasps. You would think that if we can get it right for 80 minutes, we are as good as anyone. We will be back there (at the top) again.”

London Irish director of rugby Nick Kennedy: “It’s a game we could have won. It’s similar to last week, a couple of mistakes at crucial times cost us. It’s that 80 minutes of concentration we have to get. There is that belief there. We know we are good enough. We need to close games out because our Premiership survival is on the line.”