Jonny Bell: Game management the difference for Ulster

Ulster coach Jonny Bell pinpointed his side's game management as the key difference, as they warmed up for Christmas with a vital 20-19 win over Connacht at Kingspan Stadium.

The province climbed up into the top four of the BKT United Rugby Championship for the time being, as tries from Andy Warwick and Nick Timoney, as well as 10 points from the boot of John Cooney saw them edge to the narrowest of wins.

On a night of strong winds and scattered, heavy showers, the province used the conditions to their advantage, grabbing both tries with the wind behind their back, before tagging on a pair of penalties in the second half as they played into the gale.

"In difficult things, a one-point game, how we managed the game into the wind at the end, you've got to give a lot of credit to the guys," the defence coach said.

"It was more nervy than I would have liked, but first and foremost delighted with the result.

"Like I said earlier in the week, they're a good side [Connacht], dangerous with the ball and if they get time and space they can be dangerous. Pleased we got over the line, but there are certain things we can do better."

As defence coach, Bell admits to looking back at frustration on the way they allowed Connacht to get back into the game in the second half, with Shamus Hurley-Langton and Shayne Bolton both capitalising on errors to get the visitors back within one.

And with a trip to the RDS to face Leinster next up on New Year's Day, Bell says his side won't be getting ahead of themselves.

"We kicked well, chased well, pressurised well and won a couple of important moments.

"Frustrated the game was that close, we shouldn't have allowed it to get that close.

"There's a lot of real positives, on a really difficult night to play.

"Se