Cardiff Blues were forced to battle hard to hold on for a topsy-turvy Guinness PRO14 victory that sees them leapfrog Connacht into fourth in Conference A.

The Blues scored three tries on the night through Olly Robinson, Matthew Morgan and debutant Owen Lane, and led 30-18 with barely ten minutes remaining.

But Nick Williams’ yellow led to a nervy final few moments as Connacht crossed twice late on through Shane Delahunt – the replacement hooker bagged a double in all – and John Muldoon to secure two losing bonus points in the Welsh capital.

Replacement Gareth Anscombe kicked two penalties in between those two scores that proved vital in giving the Blues a victory that keeps them in touch with the top three.

Their Irish visitors – who came into the clash on a five-game winning streak – had dominated proceedings in the early stages with only a Jack Carty penalty to show for it.

But after a Jarrod Evans penalty, Robinson went over after fine work from Lane and Willis Halaholo in the build-up.

Evans added the extras and his side led 10-3 before Niyi Adeolokun picked off an interception and raced clear under the posts.

Carty’s conversion and subsequent penalty, sanwiched by two more from Evans, meant the Blues went in 16-13 to the good.

Eoin Griffin was shown a yellow card early in the second half and the Blues made that advantage count soon after when Morgan ghosted over down the right.

And moments later Anscombe, who impressed off the bench, released Tom James for what appeared to be the decisive score.

But it was ruled out for an unnecessary Nick Williams obstruction in the build-up and Connacht went up the other end and Delahunt went over at the back of a rolling maul.

However, Anscombe then broke clear and fed debutant Lane, who picked the pass off his toes and showed great awareness to roll over the line for a fine finish.

With that, the game appeared over but another Nick Williams indiscretion saw the No.8 sent to the bin and in the end the Blues had to hold on tight as Connacht came roaring back.

But the final victory means the Blues have done the double over their Irish opponents for the first time since the 2013-14 campaign.

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