Mark McCall’s side needed the victory to improve their chances of finishing the season above Connacht to avoid any threat to their aim for a Heineken Cup place for next season. Tries from skipper Andy Ward and former Borders player Campbell Feather, both converted by centre Paul Steinmetz went a long way to ensuring that.

Ulster led 10-6 at the break but a great second quarter from the visitors saw Scotland international Chris Cusiter, sin-binned in the opening 40 minutes, grab a converted try to give Borders a 13-10 lead on the hour mark.

However, Feather’s 64th-minute try, when he was driven over the line from a lineout, also kept the Irish province on course for a top-eight finish which will see them qualify for the Celtic Cup.

Centre Charlie Hore opened the scoring for The Borders when he kicked a penalty but Ulster’s David Humphreys soon levelled the scores after scrum-half Chris Cusiter was sin-binned for interfering with the ball.

Ulster failed to capitalise on the advantage with Humphreys, having an off-day with the boot, missing two more penalty opportunities.

Even when Borders were reduced to playing for 20 minutes with just 14 men; Bruce Douglas following Cusiter into the sin-bin, the Irishmen couldn’t stamp their authority on the game.

In fact Borders took the lead when Alistair Warnock slotted a 40-metre drop goal, his 5th of the season, to give them a 6-3 lead when they were back to full strength.

Ulster responded with the try from Ward. A cross kick from Humphreys was collected by Tommy Bowe, Steinmetz maintained the pressure by returning another cross-kick where Ward pounced to score.

Steinmetz then superbly converted to give Ulster a 10-6 lead at the break and despite Borders’ spirited second half display they weren’t able to score their first ever away victory in the league.