Ospreys' URC hopes all but gone after frustrating defeat against Connacht

The Ospreys' hopes of reaching the United Rugby Championship play-offs are hanging by a thread after they slipped to a 21-14 defeat to Connacht.

Mark Jones' side were excellent for large parts of the game but a late try from Connacht scrum-half Matthew Devine broke the Ospreys' hearts.

Tries from Shamus Hurley-Langton (twice) and Devine, along with six points from the boot of Sean Naughton got Stuart Lancaster's side over the line.

Daniel Kasende and Luke Morgan scored the Ospreys' tries while Dan Edwards kicked four points.

Connacht made a strong start with impressive backrower Hurley-Langton powering over from short-range after a period of pressure.

After a shaky start the Ospreys dominated large periods of the first-half and sparked into life when Kasende made a break up the touchline.

The Ospreys worked their way into the Connacht 22 and after a few strong carries Kasende sneaked over out wide.

Jones' side should have been further ahead at the interval as they laid siege to the Connacht try line but they struggled to break the home side's defence, and the Ospreys' lineout also malfunctioned.

On the stroke of half-time a lovely pass from Jack Walsh sent Edwards racing through a gap, with the Wales playmaker proceeding to draw in the final defender to put Jac Morgan over.

But just as the Ospreys thought they'd turn around in the lead, the TMO intervened to show a forward pass from Edwards which resulted in the try being overturned.

The Ospreys made the worst possible start to the second-half when Keiran Williams knocked on from the base of a ruck.

Connacht were then able to build some pressure which resulted in Hurley-Langton claiming his second try.

But the Ospreys hit back with Wales star Morgan winning a penalty at the