Although they are adrift at the bottom of the Magners League table, Connacht came into this game gunning for a hat-trick of interprovincial wins at home this season.

Michael Bradley’s men overcame both Leinster (19-18) and Munster (12-6) earlier in the campaign in Galway, but Ulster ended their hopes of completing the full set.

Having scored 11 points in the opening 18 minutes – Simon Danielli snuck through for a try and Ian Humphreys converted two long-range penalties – Ulster made seriously hard work of their sixth straight victory over the westerners.

Credit to Connacht, their captain John Muldoon won the toss and wisely opted to play into a strong wind in the opening half.

Tries either side of half-time from Fionn Carr and Andrew Browne saw the hosts barge into a 12-11 lead and their tails were up as Muldoon and company forced the issue up front.

However, Ulster were able to snap back into the lead thanks to a Clinton Schifcofske penalty and Connacht, despite a spirited effort right to the final whistle, were left cursing three missed penalties from Ian Keatley in the second half.