Western Force has been cruelly denied its first-ever Super 14 win, after Stormers flanker Luke Watson's try with just four minutes left gave the South Africans a tense 26-25 victory in Perth.

After the perfect start from Cameron Shepherd's try within the first two minutes, the Stormers hit back hard with quickfire scores from Naas Olivier and Watson.

A touchdown from Bolla Conradie just after half time looked set to be the killer blow, until a stunning try by Force substitute Gavin De Bartolo, following a chip kick and bounce from heaven, put John Mitchell's men on the verge of history.

But Watson's second of the night, bundling over in the corner after a skilful pick up, left the home fans shattered, and more than likely waiting until next season to see their team win.

Within two minutes kick off, the Force showed their last twenty minutes against the Bulls last week was no flash in the pan.

Phase after phase of clean ball was a dream start for new scrum half Chris O'Young, and his speedy delivery and James Hilgendorf's inventive running gave Shepherd the space to throw a dummy and sprint under the posts.

Schalk Burger's plunge onto John Welborn gifted Shepherd another three points, and the Force a ten point gap, but the visitors - boasting 13 current or former Springboks among their number - were slowly finding their feet.

Their first try was started and finished by Olivier, with Burger and Conradie combining after an initial offload to put the number 10 over.

Seconds later the Stormers strong running broke the Force defence too easily, and Watson slipped away from several weak tackles to canter under the posts.

With seconds remaining in the first half, successive Stormers line-outs and drives had the Force camped on their own goalline, but when the thick blue line managed to repel the repeated attacks, the half time whistle brought equal measures of relief and respite.

It did not last long.

Within moments of the restart, Conradie was finishing off another fine handling move between back and forwards, and a ten point deficit had become an eight point lead.

The one thing the Force have not lacked this season is heart, and they showed it in spades by regathering and retaking the lead.

James Hilgendorf's sleight of hand gave Staniforth half a gap to utilise for his fifth try of the season. And when De Bartolo gathered Ioane's pass, chipped into space and collected on the burst to sprint away, victory beckoned.

But with time, and Force fans' fingernails, running out, Watson made his match winning burst to break his team's run of losses, and with it Force hearts.

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