Ulster did not give Harry Williams a winning send-off, but at least the retiring coach can be proud of the way his side fought a rearguard effort in almost certainly denying the big guns of Saracens any further involvement in the European Cup.
Needing at least four tries to overhaul either Llanelli or Colomiers, the English visitors were restricted to three touchdowns following a defensive performance of real quality.
Ulster were only able to venture out of their own half on rare occasions as Saracens with outhalf Duncan McRae the playmaker at the heels of rampaging pack, went in hunt for tries.
It said a lot for Ulster's defence that they managed to keep Saracens at bay until the 30th minute. It was only a piece of fortuitous handling that allowed Saracens to go in front. McRae looked to have mishandled on receiving from a line-out but he was able to regather putting the Ulster defence off-guard and Tom Shanklin was up to take the pass to romp in under the posts. McRae converted and Saracens were up and running - or so they thought.
Ulster kept in touch with two penalties from David Humphreys but once Saracenss got into gear again, Ulster were on the rack and their defence buckled again in the 52nd minute.
This time from a line-out McRae did it all himself when he stepped inside before squeezing over at the posts to add the extra points himself.
Saracens managed to get through the defence again when flanker Richard Hill rumbled over in the 76th minute with McRae again converting. But Ulster's undying spirit saw Humphreys pick off a loose ball to crash over near the end.
ULSTER: S McDowell; J Topping, J Bell, R Constable, T Howe; D Humphreys, capt, B Free; J Fitzpatrick, A Clarke, S Best, G Longwell, P Johns, R Nelson, T McWhirter, A Ward. Replacements: N Malone for Bell (47 mins); R Weir for Clarke (48); S Bell for Free (48); M Blair for Longwell (58); C Boyd for Best (60); S Coulter for McDowell (80).
SARACENS: B Sparg; D O'Mahony, T Shanklin, K Sorrell, D Luger; D McRae, Bracken, capt; D Flatman, R Russell, P Wallace, D Grewcock, S Murray, K Chesney, T Diprose, R Hill. Replacements: J White for Wallace (31).
Referee: J Dume (France).
