LONDON Irish’s produced a gutsy performance as they beat London Wasps 23-20 at Adams Park on Saturday afternoon.

The Exiles played the last 30 minutes with just 14 men, after Tomas O’Leary was red carded for a boot to the head.

At the time the visitors led 17-11, but with 10 minutes to go the scores were locked at 20-20 and it was left to Shane Geraghty’s drop goal to win the match.

Earlier in the contest, Ian Humphreys scored the opening try for the visitors after four minutes, which was converted by James O’Connor.

O’Connor’s penalty stretched the lead to 10-0, before Joe Carlisle kicked his first of five penalties for Wasps.

David Paice went over for the Exiles’ second try and O’Connor added the extras for a 17-3 lead.

The home side replied with a try of their own from James Short, but a missed conversion left the score 17-8 at half-time.

Carlisle kicked the opening score after the break and then O’Leary was dismissed.

Three penalties from Carlisle and one from O’Connor made it 20-20, before Geraghty’s drop goal sealed the win.

Irish are next in action at home to the Leicester Tigers, at the Madejski Stadium, on Sunday (kick-off 1pm).