The Queensland Reds overcame a horror start to power back and beat the Western Force 31-24 in their AU tournament in Brisbane on Friday.

The Force scored twice in the first 10 minutes, but then struggled with defence as they allowed the Reds to storm back and take a 21-19 lead by the break.

A final drop goal by James O’Connor sealed the game, although the Force were desperately looking to send the game into “super time” with a 10-phase attack at the end, but eventually ended in a whimper with a knock on.

The win left the Reds top of the log with their second victory in three games while the Force are still winless after two outings in the competition.

It was also disappointment for the Perth side after Byron Ralston scored twice in the game but ended on the losing side despite his efforts.

Jack McGregor opened the scoring for the visitors, finishing off a backline move that would have stunned the Reds in the opening minutes.

Ralston followed up as a chip by Jonno Lance fell perfectly for the Force to collect and send wide for the winger to run in.

But as promising as their attack was, the Force had some woeful defence and allowed the Reds to run in three tries in the first half to negate all their good work.

It was a long pass that put hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa over in the corner to start the Reds march, and he was followed two minutes later when Jock Campbell found way too much space in the midfield and sprinted to the other corner to score.

The Reds took the lead when Taniela Tupou powered over from close range to put them 21-12 up, but Ralston’s second, a perfect intercept and 70m run, narrowed the gap to two points at the break. And when Lance’s conversion was charged down, it was two valuable points lost just before the break.

The Reds upped the ante and saw winger Filipo Daugunu finish off a well-worked try with an inside step to flat-foot the defence.

With Hunter Paisami being carded for a dangerous tackle, it allowed the Force a chance to come back into the game, and they took it when Andrew Ready went over from a powerful rolling maul.

But it wasn’t enough to force a result and left the Force close, but still searching for their first win.

Scorers

Queensland Reds – tries: Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Jock Campbell, Taniela Tupou, Filipo Daugunu. Conversions: James O’Connor (4). Drop goal: O’Connor.

Western Force – tries: Byron Ralston (2), Jack McGregor, Andrew Ready. Conversions: Ian Prior (2)