Ulster kept their Heineken Cup hopes alive with a nail-biting victory over French champions Biarritz at Ravenhill.
In front of a capacity 12,000 crowd Ulster, thanks to a converted interception try by right wing James Topping and two penalties from David Humphreys just about deserved their victory, Biarritz's first reverse of the competition.
The game never took off as a spectacle, but the tension generated in a frenetic finale as Ulster hung onto their four-point advantage was enthralling stuff.
Biarritz, fielding seven French internationals, paid a dear price for failing to show any invention until the dying minutes, but by then it was too little too late.
Ulster endured the worst possible start, centre Ryan Constable having to retire in the second minute with suspected concussion after a heavy tackle with opposite number John Isaac.
Humphreys was wide with a ninth-minute penalty but he continued to probe dangerously with kicks to the corner, one chip almost creating an opportunity for Scott Young.
But, with their first attack of the game, a spilled ball by Bryn Cunningham presented the visitors with their first points, scrum-half Dimitri Yachvili landing his first penalty.
Moments later another mistake by Topping, who was caught in possession under the posts, allowed out-half Julien Peyrelongue to knock over a drop-goal in the 20th muble the lead.
Biarritz, looking solid in defence, were beginning to exert a grip when Humphreys missed his second penalty attempt in the 26th minute.
Just as the home crowd's frustration started to grow Ulster produced a try from nothing, Topping intercepting Peyrelongue's long pass in the 35th minute.
Ulster were in front thanks to Humphreys' conversion but their lead did not last long,
Philippe Bernat-Salles' first touch opened up the Ulster defence and, at the breakdown the home side were penalised for offside and Yachvili made no mistake with his kick just on half-time.
The second half began with Ulster dominating possession but being undone by unforced errors.
One fine move following a turn-over almost created a opening for Young.
Despite Biarritz pressure Ulster's defence was holding firm, a superb cover run by Cunningham saved a try.
Humphreys finally found his range with a penalty in the 61st minute to restore the home side's lead.
Ulster prop Robbie Kempson then conceded a penalty for collapsing the scrum but Yachvili was short with a kick from just inside the Uls half.
The killer blow came two minutes from time when a high ball by Ulster scrum-half Neil Doak was spilled by Philippe Bidabe and Serge Besten was penalised for collecting the ball in front of the kicker.
Humphreys made no mistake as Ulster held on for a famous victory.