Last-gasp goal seals Edinburgh win

Edinburgh 25 Leinster 24

A last-gasp drop goal by veteran stand-off Duncan Hodge kept Edinburgh’s Heineken Cup dream alive at the end of a pulsating tussle at Murrayfield.

A try from Girvan Dempsey and a conversion from Argentinian star Felipe Contepomi had looked like giving Leinster a smash-and-grab success.

But they were left in despair as Hodge’s 30-metre strike sailed between the sticks.

The opening exchanges were more akin to a game of tennis with boots instead of racquets as defences were tested with a series of speculative lobs.

Scrum-half Mike Blair set up the first scoring chance with a clever chip, but speed merchant Simon Webster could not get the crucial touch.

Edinburgh kept up the early momentum and skipper Chris Paterson broke the deadlock with a penalty after Leinster failed to roll clear of the tackle scene.

The Irishmen hit back immediately, however, with an identical score by Contepomi for a similar offence.

Both sides were keen to take an adventurous approach with the action raging from end to end, and it was home forward David Callam who was next to threaten with a bullocking run before being halted by Trevor Hogan.

Then came the moment the Leinster fans were waiting for as their heroes snatched a cheeky try.

Scrum-half Cillian Willis caught the Edinburgh defence on the hop with a quickly taken free kick deep in his own half.

Brian O’Driscoll surged into enemy territory, brushing aside the challenge of Paterson in the process.

His pace and power provided Dempsey with the time and space to finish in style. Contepomi slotted the conversion from the widest possible angle.

Paterson repaired some of the damage with his second penalty from close range - and repeated the feat in the wake of a great charge by Ally Strokosch.

The kick inspired Edinburgh to mount a spate of raids, but they did not look like completely breaching the Leinster defence.

There was plenty of drama in the build-up to the interval.

The Dubliners were reduced to 14 men when hooker Brian Blaney was yellow-carded for persistently entering rucks from the side.

Paterson maintained his flawless display of marksmanship to edge the Scots in front.

Then the visitors were an inch away from grabbing another score with the final play of the half. Instead of going for goal with a penalty, O’Driscoll launched a surprise attack and only a spill on the line by Jamie Heaslip prevented the touchdown.

The frantic tempo continued after the restart, leading up to an incident that sparked huge controversy.

Shane Horgan embarked on a galloping run before shipping the ball out to substitute Luke Fitzgerald with a obviously forward pass.

And Contepomi rubbed salt in the Scottish wounds by again banging over the goal from the touchline.

It was a psychological blow to Edinburgh – but they responded in stirring fashion with a touchdown by centre Rob Dewey – awarded after a long spell of consideration by the TV ref.

Paterson clipped over the conversion to restore his side’s advantage, and added another penalty.

However, Dempsey sliced through the home markers for a try and Contepomi converted to gee up Leinster.

But old stager Hodge had the ultimate say with his clincher.