Peter Horne's penalty saw Glasgow edge out Zebre at Scotstoun

Zebre, the new Italian franchise in the RaboDirect PRO12, got a deserved first bonus point for a spirited performance throughout, but in the end the home side did just enough to earn the victory.

The Glasgow side featured a host of debutants but it was the visitors who began the brighter and raced into a 13-0 lead as Luciano Orquera and Gonzalo Garcia both slotted over early penalties and the fly-half Orquera strolled over untouched under the posts for the game's opening try after a great run from Leonardo Sarto.

Glasgow pulled back to within seven points after the greasy ball was finally put in the air to be spilled for Graeme Morrison to boot the ball on and Tim Swinson to kick on again and grab the touchdown. Ruaridh Jackson added the extras.

Filippo Cristiano and Mauro Bergamasco were sent to the sin-bin within five minutes but Glasgow allowed a second Orquero penalty while Zebre were short-handed.

However as the half closed DTH van der Merwe dived over in the corner following a massive scrum and the half closed with Morrison touching down. With Jackson converting the second. Glasgow went in at the break with a 19-16 lead.

The Canadian international was injured in creating Morrison's try which allowed Stuart Hogg to take the field for the first time this season following an ankle operation.

Orquera levelled things up with another three points early in the second half as the visitors went in search of their first ever win but the Warriors were desperate not to become their inaugural scalp and the game turned into a tense affair.

Glasgow then piled on pressure but lacking guile against Zebre's resilience they made nothing of it with Jackson missing a decent penalty chance.

Peter Horne came on in place of jackson and struck home a penalty in the 73rd minute to edge Glasgow in front for the win.

But it was a bad night for Glasgow in terms of injuries, with prop Moray Low stretchered off in the second half with a bad leg injury.

Glasgow Warriors head coach Gregor Townsend said: "It was our poorest performance of the season. We did not start well and we did not convert our chances in the second half.

"But a win is a win and that's what I was telling them in the dressing-room.

"Sean Kennedy was outstanding on his debut.

"The weather was not good and it was not a good display for a new guy to come in, but his play, his sharpness, his passing and kicking were great."

Man-of-the-match Tim Swinson said: "No team in this league is a mug and they showed their pedigree.

"Rain and wind isn't your friend when playing rugby, but you have to get used to it at Scotstoun.

"There were 13 changes, but it was not a weakened side. I think any team we put out can be competitive."