His misses looked to have condemned Leinster to their fifth defeat of the season and sent Scarlets top with 17 minutes remaining with the Welsh region trailing 17-5.

However after Fergus McFadden crossed, Shane Horgan’s try gave Sexton the chance to level things up which he duly took only to end the game as the villain once more in the last knockings.

The Irish province got themselves into a perfect position to land a late drop goal but Sexton’s hands let him down, spilling Eoin Reddan’s pass and any chance to be a late hero.

Earlier Scarlets had got themselves into what seemed to be an unassailable lead through a Gareth Maule score and four Rhys Priestland penalties.