PRO14: Ulster 16-8 Connacht

Connacht's dismal run of form in Belfast continued as they were beaten 16-8 by Ulster in a lacklustre, scrappy affair at the Kingspan.

An incredibly dull first half saw John Cooney give Ulster the lead with a 26th minute penalty, before Connacht hooker Tom McCartney nudged his side in front with a try in the 35th minute.

Early in the 2nd half, Cooney kicked another 3 points, just before a questionable refereeing decision allowed the home crowd to vent their understandable frustration.

Steve Crosbie clattered Charles Piutau in the 48th minute after the fullback had cleared with a kick.

The referee elected to allow play to continue, drawing a chorus of boos and jeers from the home side.

Connacht were then awarded a penalty, and in an unusual display of protest, the Kingspan crowd continued their loud complaints, rather than remain silent.

It didn't seem to deter Jack Carty, who slotted the kick regardless.

Ulster then inched ahead in the 54th minute as Cooney kicked another penalty which must have come within an inch or two of clipping the post.

2 minutes later, a moment of magic from Piutau carved open the Connacht defence.

The All Black collected the ball on his own 22 and exchanged passes with Jacob Stockdale in midfield before releasing the young winger to round things off and dive under the posts to score.

The visitors increased the pressure and Ulster's Jean Deysel was yellow carded with less than 4 minutes left to play, but Les Kiss' men were able to hang on for the win.

The result means Connacht have now lost 35 times in a row in Belfast, their last win coming in 1960.