James Hook's injury-time conversion of a Tommy Bowe try saw the EDF Energy Cup holders steal a 24-23 Group C verdict.

But Quins, who were without several Guinness Premiership regulars, were justifiably crestfallen at the final whistle.

Tries by centre De Wet Barry and hooker Tani Fuga hauled Quins back into the contest from 14-3 adrift, while Fijian fly-half Waisea Luveniyali kicked 13 points.

Holley said: "It was a classic get-out-of-jail situation. It was a bit too close for comfort. Quins deserve a lot of credit - they were very tenacious - and there are clearly elements of the game for us to work on. Perhaps everyone in the world, except the 22 guys in the Quins dressing room, expected a 50-pointer.

"We are making no excuses. We were really tested, but apart from an injury to Sonny Parker, there were no other (injury) problems, just a few bruised egos."

Wales centre Gavin Henson started his first game for six months after recovering from an ankle injury, but none of the Ospreys' sizeable international contingent could make a lasting impact.

Wing Shane Williams, who ended the game at scrum-half, scored a brilliantly-crafted try with Hook booting 14 points.

Holley added: "I am glad we've had a significant test today - some people were perhaps starting to believe their own press.

"You want fabulous individuals in your team, which we've got, but it is about the sum of the parts.

"The challenge is to be less individual - we spoke about having a team emphasis today - but at times, we didn't get it."

Quins fielded a solitary survivor from their hard-fought Premiership victory at Worcester on Thursday night - flanker Chris Robshaw - but they outscored Ospreys 20-10 in the second period.

Quins rugby director Dean Richards said: "The boys are very disappointed.

"We didn't have a good first-half - we showed the Ospreys too much respect - but then we took it to them in the second-half.

"We have a lot of ability across the board in our squad, and we don't have a second team as such. We had five internationals out there.

"We got ourselves into a position whereby we could, and should, have won the game."

Richards, meanwhile, reported that Quins' England wing David Strettle, who suffered a foot injury during the Worcester game, will see a surgeon tomorrow.

Strettle twice suffered foot problems last season, which ruled him out of the World Cup, and then virtually all of England's RBS 6 Nations campaign.

Richards added: "In terms of knowing exactly what the score is, we will wait and see what the surgeon says.

"There is a possibility he might have an operation tomorrow - I don't know at this stage."