Bridgend 23 Connacht 24
Connacht completed a stunning recovery to pip Bridgend and keep their unbeaten Celtic League record intact today.
Steph Nel's side overturned a 17-point deficit and owed victory to a controlled display from an abrasive pack who wore down the hosts.
Bridgend's hopes of qualifying for the quarter-finals now lie in ruins after suffering a third consecutive defeat.
But the Welshmen had surged ahead through a superb counter-attacking try by Tongan flanker Maama Molitika.
They built on that when Lion Dafydd James made a storming run to score a brilliant touchdown by the posts.
The visitors lost skipper Tim Allmutt with a serious knee injury and it spurred his team-mates into action.
First a well-worked set move led to Wayne Munn crossing in the corner. Connacht then proceeded to dominate the second half and Bridgend's possession completely dried up.
After Eric Elwood had landed a brace of penalties the visitors worked an overlap for Darren Yapp to cross out wide.
Bridgend kept their noses in front thanks to a penalty hat-trick by Craig Wallow.
But it was not enough as Connacht punished a mistake with Ellwood and Yapp linking to send full-back Mark McHugh over for the winning score.