Ulster claimed victory over Connacht by the tightest of margins to extend their unbeaten run in the GUINNESS PRO12 at the Kingspan Stadium this season – and their excellent record against the visitors.

In a tightly fought contest the home side edged it by three points despite late Connacht pressure to make it only one defeat in 17 games in this fixture.

A stunning Craig Gilroy try and eight points from the boot of Paddy Jackson was enough for Ulster, with Connacht always in touch thanks to Aly Muldowney’s try and five points for Jack Carty.

Connacht landed the first blow winning a penalty deep in the Ulster 22 that Carty dispatched with ease to give the visitors a 3-0 lead.

Ulster had the chance to strike straight back after six minutes when John Muldoon was penalised by referee John Lacey for going offside but a rusty Jackson sent his effort wide of the posts from out on the right.

Both teams were handling the ball well considering the testing conditions, but all the play was in the Connacht half and Jackson got another shot at the sticks on 13 minutes after Connacht were again caught offside and this time he made no mistake.

And after more Ulster pressure the home side took the lead, a lovely pop pass from Jackson giving Gilroy a run at the lines.

The winger still had a lot to do but bounced out of one tackle before dancing out of two more to touch down near the posts, Jackson adding the extras to make it 10-3.

With the game approaching half-time, Connacht managed to get some field position and put the home side under pressure but despite camping in the Ulster 22 they were unable to find the breakthrough and went in at the break trailing by seven points.

The start to the second half was just as tight as the first, with the biggest cheer the introduction of Kiwi legend Mils Muliania for Darragh Leader on 48 minutes.

A lovely break from Ulster centre Stuart Olding gave Jackson the chance to put up a hanging cross-field kick for Gilroy but a brilliant leaping catch from Matt Healy averted the danger.

A poor lineout throw on their own five-metre line from Connacht gave Ulster a great attacking opportunity but from the scrum they coughed up a cheap penalty and the visitors were able to clear the danger.

Into the final quarter and Jackson was given the chance to put the gap beyond one score after Connacht were guilty of tackling off the ball and he made no mistake from in front of the posts.

Connacht had barely threatened the Ulster 22 all game but when Gilroy was a fraction of a second early tackling Healy as he jumped to claim a high ball they were given a great attacking platform. And from the lineout they got their driving maul working and drove Muldowney over the line.

Jack Carty added the extras and once more it was a three-point game, with 12 minutes of the game remaining.

But despite opportunities in the final thirds of both sides, neither was able to get across the line and Connacht departed with a losing bonus point while Ulster moved up the table and into the top four.

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