An all-action performance from Bundee Aki inspired Connacht’s first away victory over the Ospreys since 2004 as their brilliant early-season form continued.

Dan Baker crossed early on for the Ospreys but a Matt Healy effort put Connacht ahead of half-time after Jack Carty had outscored Sam Davies from the tee by six points to three.

Both kickers had missed a flurry of chances, and it was left for Aki to stretch Connacht’s lead out further with an effort that Craig Ronaldson converted.

Returning international Justin Tipuric crossed for the hosts after coming off the bench, but Davies sent the conversion wide and Connacht held on.

It took until Round 4 before Ospreys notched their first GUINNESS PRO12 win of the season, 25-22 over Benetton Treviso, while free-scoring Connacht had started the campaign with three wins from four.

But Connacht had only beaten the Ospreys once in their last 14 encounters and the hosts enjoyed the early going, Davies firing over a penalty after an infringement at the breakdown.

The Irish province then pinned Ospreys back in their own territory, but after Eoghan Masterson made a menace of himself in the ruck, Carty knocked his own penalty wide right.

Pat Lam’s men continued to probe – with scrum-half Kieran Marmion causing trouble among the Ospreys ranks – before Connacht settled for a penalty and this time Carty made no mistake.

Ospreys then clicked into gear with their first sustained attack as Eli Walker prised open the space before No.8 Baker barged over – the try standing after the TMO checked for a forward pass.

Davies failed with the conversion and soon after Carty missed another penalty, albeit from a difficult angle, for Connacht.

Outside centre Aki then bolted deep into the Ospreys’ 22 and was held up just before the line. After a series of pick-and-goes no try came but Josh Matavesi was sin binned for a professional foul.

The resulting penalty saw Carty reduce the deficit to two points, though Davies could not convert an opportunity to respond from the tee after Connacht went off their feet.

Connacht were having little trouble causing mayhem with ball in hand and in the 26^th minute, following a Marmion break off the back of a five-metre scrum, wing Matt Healy was there to take the offload and cross over.

Carty’s conversion drifted wide but despite Ospreys being back to their full complement, the Connacht surge continued.

Only a huge defensive effort kept out the away side, who were pinged at the breakdown just before half-time to give Davies a shot at goal – but the 22-year-old was wayward again.

Connacht did break through a matter of minutes into the second-half though Aki charging over after receiving the offload from Craig Ronaldson – who was on target with the conversion.

Ten points down, Ospreys brought on Wales internationals Paul James and Tipuric for the last half hour but Aki proceeded to show off his defensive skills by forcing two knock-ons.

The Ospreys were by no means out of it and Davies shaved the gap down to seven points with a penalty, though misjudged another after his side won a scrum against the head.

Connacht shot themselves in the own foot when they were penalised for crossing following an attacking line-out – and the resulting penalty gave Ospreys their own line-out, which led to a try in the corner for Tipuric.

Crucially Davies missed the touchline conversion, leaving Connacht in front and some excellent reaguard work led by Denis Buckley kept the Ospreys out.

Ronaldson relieved some of the pressure in the 76^th minute with a penalty before Lam’s troops secured another impressive win.

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