CONNACHT will need to improve significantly if they are to make progress in Pool C of the European Conference after last nights disappointing defeat at Broadacre.

The visitors made far too many unforced errors to present a serious challenge to the Welsh National League division one side and three Eric Elwood penalties were all they" had to show for their efforts.

A forgettable first half saw Elwood and his opposite number, Mark Thomas, exchange two penalties each to make the interval score 6-6. Connacht won the lion's share of possession thanks to Shane Leahy in the line out, but they rarely threatened the Dunvant try line.

Leahy was shown the yellow card along with Nigel Spender midway through the first half, the Connacht lock retaliating after the home number eight had been spotted stamping in a ruck.

Two more Thomas penalties early in the second half gave Dunvant the initiative and then came the game's crucial moment.

Connacht full back Brian Carey knocked on, having been awarded a mark inside his own 22, and from the resulting scrum Spender burst through unopposed to score at the posts with Thomas converting.

Elwood landed his third penalty to reduce the arrears to 10 points, but in the final minute Dunvant lock Steve Dixon ran a penalty from halfway and skipper Dean Evans was worked over in the corner for a fry that Thomas again converted.