Gregor Townsend has hailed Glasgow Warriors dramatic draw with Leinster as three vital points gained ­- despite seeing his side blow a 27-7 half-time lead.

The defending Pro-12 champions proved their calibre by clawing back the deficit with a thrilling fightback in a game that finished 34-34.

But the three bonus points earned by Warriors keep them top of the Pro12, two points ahead of Ulster and Munster who are both locked in second place.

With just four games remaining before the play-offs, Townsend knows every point is crucial.

And with five teams chasing the top four places it's going to go down to the wire.

He added: "The three points are crucial. When Leinster scored their fourth try to move ahead I was hoping that we would pick up a losing bonus point, so to come away with two extra points is fantastic.

"It's going to be very tight with five teams chasing really hard for the top four places and the two home play-off ties.

"We've just got to make sure we prepare really well for each game and build on what we at Leinster."

Stuart Hogg, Mark Bennett, Richie Vernon and Glenn Bryce were all on the scoresheet for Warriors at a packed RDS.

Glasgow were leading 27-7 at half-time, but in the second period Leinster showed why they are defending champions with a spirited comeback to lead 34-27.

However, a Glenn Bryce try in the corner and a touchline conversion from Peter Horne with five minutes remaining, ensured the Warriors left Dublin with three crucial points.

Townsend hailed his players character and praised them for their huge work ethic.

He said: "There was fantastic courage shown by the players, I've got images of DTH van der Merwe really struggling with cramp and then making a 50-60 metre break, which almost led to a try and then getting back and putting in a crucial tackle for the team.

"Mike Cusack, who hasn't played much this season, had to come on really early and did very well in the scrums and to still be tackling near the end was great to see.

"There were a few injuries and some guys came on early from the bench. Glenn Bryce got over his initial charge-down and scored an excellent try.

"Adam Ashe came on and carried really hard and it was great to see Henry Pyrgos back from injury and he got us into the position to score the try at the end."

The Warriors were dominant in the first half and scored three tries to give them a twenty-point lead and Townsend praised the backs for taking the game to Leinster.

He said: "Peter (Horne) and Stuart (Hogg) orchestrated a lot of things in the first half and were mixing it up really well. The centres were excellent and I thought Richie Vernon looked really good starting his first game at inside centre.

"Peter Horne only found out yesterday he was playing stand-off and played excellent rugby.

"He was very committed with his tackling and running at the defence and had the confidence and ability to kick the final conversion, which was very important."

The Warriors are back in action a week on Friday, when Cardiff Blues visit Scotstoun and Townsend is hoping they'll be able to continue their good home form, which has seen them go undefeated in the league since November 2013.

He added: "It'll be great to be back at home in two weeks and it'll be the first time since we played Montpellier in January that we'll have our full squad available to us.

"We've only got two home games left in the regular season and it would be great to have a large crowd behind us."