A late penalty from Ben Blair ensured Cardiff Blues shared the spoils with Connacht at the Sportsground on Saturday night.

The Blues took the lead with a try from centre Tom Shanklin in the opening two minutes, after some good work from Nick Robinson, and the conversion from Blair put them in control.

But a penalty from Paul Warwick reduced the arrears before the hosts grabbed a try of their own through flanker Ray Ofisa that gave the hosts the lead.

Warwick’s conversion edged them further ahead but Blair levelled the scores before soon after with his first penalty of the game.

The Blues were then dealt a blow with the sin-binning of flanker Scott Morgan for obstruction and they were soon chasing the game again when Warwick slotted his second penalty just before the break.

The kicking duel between Blair and Warwick continued in the second half with first the New Zealander pulling the Blues level once more before Connacht regained the lead on the hour mark.

Blair’s final effort in the last quarter hour put the visitors back on equal terms but there were still chances for both sides to win the game.

Firstly Warwick hit the woodwork with a penalty attempt before Blair slipped as he attempted to add to his tally.

The Blues’ fullback had one last chance to steal the game in injury time but this time he had to look on as his effort hit the upright.