Late drop goal clinches Ulster win

Edinburgh 16 Ulster 17

A late Paddy Wallace drop goal clinched a dramatic Celtic League triumph for Ulster at Murrayfield.

Todd Blackadder’s men looked on course to get their campaign off to a great start on home turf until Wallace floored them in the dying seconds.

Both teams were guilty of making a spate of basic errors in the jittery opening exchages, but it was Edinburgh who snatched the early initiative.

Chris Paterson – back in action after recovering from a smashed cheekbone - confidently slotted a straightforward penalty when Ulster sneaked offside.

The Gunners kept up the pressure, only for the Irishmen to draw level against the run of play.

There seemed no way through the home defence, leaving former All Black Paul Steinmetz to chip over an opportunist drop goal.

Edinburgh reacted in positive fashion to open up a six-point advantage thanks to two penalties in quick succession from Paterson.

The home side were enjoying plenty of possession and territory but it was Ulster who created the opening touchdown.

Scotland breakaway forward Ally Hogg dropped a simple catch, giving the visitors the time and space to ship the ball to stand off Wallace via Matt Mustchin and Rod Moore.

Wallace sent a perfectly weighted chip towards the line, with wing Andy Maxwell bagging the crucial first touch.

Ulster then suffered a setback when flanker Neil Best was sent to the sin-bin for throwing a flurry of punches at Allan Jacobsen but Paterson’s penalty drifted wide of the target.

Hogg then made amends by figuring prominently in the move which set up a superb Gunners try for skipper Blackadder.

Paterson gleefully clipped over the conversion to give his side a useful eight-point cushion – but Wallace hit back with a penalty to set up a tense last half-hour.

Wallace landed another penalty from close range then slotted home the clincher.