British and Irish Lions scrum half Mike Phillips has admitted that a last minute defeat to Australia would have been unbearable.

Warren Gatland's side were leading the Wallabies 23-21 when kicker Kurtley Beale had a chance to win the game for his team with a penalty, but the 24-year-old slipped and handed the Lions the victory in the first Test.

Phillips wrote in his column in the Daily Mail: "I've been there so many times with Wales against Australia when we've lost at the death and I couldn't believe we were in the same position again. I was having a little prayer when Kurtley Beale was lining up that kick.

"I had a feeling he might slip because it was really greasy around the areas where the advertising and sponsor's logos were on the pitch and when he missed it I just breathed a huge sigh of relief. It would have been agonising to lose in that manner again.

"Ultimately, we have to be happy to come away with a win but we know we can improve and that's a good position to be in."

The Lions and Australia clash in the second Test on June 29.