Harlequins failed to build on a dominant first-half display as Leicester ran them close in the first leg of the Zurich Premiership wild card semi-finals at The Stoop.

Deane squirms over for Quins' second try

Mike Scott's side stormed to a 17-0 advantage at the interval only to see the Tigers roar back to within three points at the final whistle.

Leicester coach Dean Richards left it late before bringing on mighty foursome England skipper Martin Johnson, Darren Garforth, Dorian West and Graham Rowntree.

We controlled it for an hour but fair play to Leicester. They clawed it back Mark Evans Harlequins coach

His tactical substitutions gave fresh impetus to the visitors and gave them a great final chance of qualifying for the Heineken Cup next season.

Quins took full advantage of a sub-standard first-half display by an under-strength Leicester side.

The home side were lucky to get away with a blatant forward pass from number eight Tony Diprose before England centre Will Greenwood sent hooker Tani Fuga over for the first try.

Harlequins 26 Tries: Fuga, Deane Cons: Burke 2 Pens: Burke 3 Drop Goals: Burke Leicester 23 Tries: Murphy, Corry Cons: Stimpson 2 Pens: Stimpson 3

Six minutes later scrum-half Matt Powell caught the Tigers defence cold and kicked ahead for centre Mel Deane to snatch the ball out of the air and touch down.

Fly-half Paul Burke converted both and added penalties in the 31st minute and the first minute of the second half to stretch the lead to 20-3.

But then came the 51st-minute introduction of Johnson, West and Garforth, followed eight minutes later by Rowntree replacing Perry Freshwater.

The Tigers finally found their feet as Geordan Murphy produced an electrifying burst through the middle for a superb solo try which Tim Stimpson converted to put Leicester back in contention.

I don't know if it's advantage Leicester or not Dean Richards Leeds coach

Burke missed two penalties, and Leicester's pack provided the platform to produce a threat every time they went forward.

Burke made amends with a 71st-minute penalty but Leicester stormed forward and Martin Corry ran over in the 77th minute.

Stimpson picked up the extras and glided over a long-range penalty two minutes into injury time to leave Leicester as favourites for the second leg.

Leicester: Stimpson, Murphy, Gelderbloom, Tuilagi, Lloyd, McMullen, Ellis, Freshwater, Chuter, Nebbett, Deacon, Corry, Short, Kronfeld, Balding. Replacements: West, Rowntree, Garforth, M. Johnson, J. Hamilton, Vesty, Skinner.

Referee: D Pearson (RFU)