Di Bernardo struck from halfway in the final minute to secure a 22-20 win for the Italians in a frantic encounter at the Stadio di Monigo.

A first-half try double from wing Andy Fenby saw the Scarlets lead 17-5 at the break but converted scores from Fabio Semenzato and Robert Barbieri on 51 and 67 minutes gave the Italians hope.

Treviso piled on the pressure as Scarlets skipper Rob McCusker saw yellow late on and Di Bernardo gave them a narrow success right at the death.

The Scarlets looked set to celebrate a fourth win in five this season despite resting the likes of George North and Scott Williams and they will head home feeling particularly aggrieved at the manner in which they let this one slip.

The visitors had plenty to shout about when Fenby crossed for his second score three minutes before the interval and Rhys Priestland added a 47th-minute penalty to his two conversions and early drop goal, but Treviso refused to give up the ghost and were back within a single point with 13 minutes still to play.

McCusker's sin binning with 72 minutes gone gave Treviso added impetus yet the Scarlets showed some real resolve to hold out almost until the end.

Almost wasn't good enough, though, for Simon Easterby and co as Di Bernardo stepped up to break Scarlets hearts with time nearly up.

That makes it two defeats in a row for the Scarlets who were beaten by bitter rivals the Ospreys in Llanelli last time out.

Next up is a derby clash with the Dragons at the Parc y Scarlets, followed by a trip to Edinburgh before the Heineken Cup campaign kicks off at Clermont Auvergne on October 13.