Ulster undone by Montgomery

Celtic League/Dragons 13; Ulster 11: On a night where most interest centred on the announcement of the departure of their coach, Chris Anderson, at the end of the season, Newport-Gwent Dragons managed to find a touch of a silver lining with a last-gasp victory over Ulster at Rodney Parade last night.

Anderson cited financial cutbacks which would follow the imminent departure of benefactor Tony Brown as the reason for his exit.

The Dragons showed just enough grit and resolve to snatch away what would have been an important victory for Mark McCall's side with a 76th minute penalty by former Springbok Percy Montgomery.

This was the third game in succession away from Ravenhill that Ulster have lost narrowly, hard on the heels of last-gasp reverses at Leinster and the Ospreys to ensure that McCall's side have not won outside Belfast since November.

The defeat ensures that Ulster remain in ninth place - outside of the qualification for the Celtic Cup and below Connacht - with just five games remaining.

While Montgomery's kick proved the killer blow, Ulster will look back to a crucial try, scored by Dragons flanker Jason Forster in first-half half injury time, as the game's turning point.

The first half had largely been about Ulster pressure but poor discipline at the breakdown. Nonetheless, the visitors playing with the benefit of a strong wind had been able to accumulate a six-point lead via a drop-goal and penalty by David Humphreys.

But on the stroke of half-time, the home side stole the lead, with a converted try by Forster, who sprinted clear of the Ulster defence from a neat offload by hooker Steve Jones. Montgomery added the conversion.

It was a cruel blow to Ulster, who now faced playing into the breeze having lost the lead. When Montgomery banged over his second penalty in the 54th minute, the game seemed to be drifting away from the visitors.

Then, completely against the run of play, Ulster took the lead with a superb try by Bryn Cunningham, who, after quick hands by Humphreys, showed great strength to finish in the corner in the 65th minute. They looked like they might hang on, before Montgomery stepped up.

GWENT DRAGONS: P Montgomery; G Wyatt, N Brew, S Winn, B Breeze; C Warlow, G Baber; R Snow, S Jones, C Anthony, L Chateris, P Sidoli, J Ringer, J Forster, R Oakley. Replacements: R Thomas for Snow, A Black for Anthony (both 61 mins), J Richards for Jones (65 mins), S Tuipulotu for Brew (86 mins), M Veater for Ringer (73 mins)

ULSTER: B Cunningham; T Bowe, K Maggs, P Steinmetz, T Howe; D Humphreys, K Campbell; S Best, R Best, R Moore, G Longwell, M McCullough, C Feather, N Best, R Wilson. Replacements: G Pfister for Feather (29-31 mins), P Shields for Best, R Frost for Longwell (both 50 mins), R McCormack for Moore (58 mins). Yellow card: M McCullough (19-29).

Referee: A Ireland (SRU).