Ulster strike late to defeat Glasgow in URC classic

Ulster's ability to absorb wave after wave of pressure and overcome a superior scrum and lineout, saw them claim a remarkable BKT URC win over defending champions Glasgow in Belfast.

The winner came a full five minutes into over-time when scrum-half Dave Shanahan dotted down with the last play of the game.

Although they momentarily held a lead in the final ten minutes, it was Glasgow who always looked more likely to take the victory.

While Leinster, Munster and Connacht were all involved in ten-try thrillers, this encounter was just as intriguing and hard-fought, and for Ulster head coach Richie Murphy, it could hardly have been any sweeter.

Aidan Morgan scored on his debut and Dave McCann dotted down but Kyle Steyn's late try, in addition to first-half five-pointers from Johnny Matthews and Henco Venter had the visitors in command until the final late surge continued Ulster's opening-round winning streak, which now stretches to ten seasons.

It was a first half that the Warriors dominated in terms of possession and territory but they still only emerged with a two-point advantage.

Ulster, missing a host of frontliners through injury, were barely present in the opposition 22 but they were able to glean 10 points when their chances arose.

After Nathan Doak had put Ulster on the board with a close-range penalty in the 17th minute, it was time for Morgan to announce himself to the Ravenhill faithful with an excellent opportunistic try.

The Ireland-qualified New Zealander, on his first competitive outing for the province, first blocked down Tom Jordan's kick on the halfway line, hacked ahead and collected under pressure.

He had Mike Lowry in support and Eric O'Sullivan and Jude Postlewaite were quick to return the ball to Morgan who