Ulster clinch victory over Connacht in derby - as it happened

1. Ulster 20-19 Connacht
2. Ulster led 14-7 at half-time

Christmas celebrations begin early for Ulster as they hold on for dramatic win

Ulster have held off a dramatic Connacht comeback to secure a 20-19 win in wet and windy Belfast.

Dan McFarland’s men showed great resilience as the visitors battled their way back into the game in the second half, leading to a nervous last ten minutes for the hosts.

A Christmas cracker of a game with plenty of back-and-forth action and a thrilling finale.

Ulster leave with four points and find themselves in fourth place in the URC table which will make Christmas all the more enjoyable.

Thanks for joining us!

Ulster lucky to win - Henderson

"We're lucky to come out with that result - we're by no means the perfect team yet but that's what we're striving for. This is massive - we take every inter-pro game as seriously as we ca. We know they're big, competitive matches with big rivalries so it's huge.

Iain HendersonUlster captain and man-of-the-match

Ulster fans will go home with smiles on their faces

Tommy Bowe

Former Ulster & Ireland winger on BBC Two NI

"I think Ulster were definitely the better team here tonight. It was a tight affair and what I loved was the singing, the atmosphere, the crowd and the full house here at Kingspan Stadium - we haven't seen that often this season but after the win against Racing last weekend and here against Connacht a lot of the fans will go home tonight with smiles on their faces after a big Ulster win."

Andy Gray

BBC Sport NI at Kingspan Stadium

Bundee Aki has just given his boots to a young fan in the crowd who had been going wild for the Ireland centre from the off.

That's a lovely touch and definitely made someone's Christmas.

Andy Gray

BBC Sport NI at Kingspan Stadium

Phew! That was close but Ulster won't care!

Full-time! Ulster hold on for win

A collective sigh of relief from the home supporters as Ulster win their own scrum and put the ball into the stands as the referee blows the final whistle.

A dramatic finish to a tight game!

Connacht looking to launch a final attack as they chase this game but have thrown a forward pass!

Ulster have the scrum and all they need to do now is get the ball into the stands and they've won...

Bolton slides over to boost Connacht hopes

Shayne Bolton's converted try brings Connacht to within a point of Ulster in Belfast.

Watch: Shayne Bolton scores a try for Connacht

The players get a bit of breather as Tom Stewart receives some medical attention before getting to his feet.

Ulster have the scrum.

Any mistake now from Ulster could prove costly.

Connacht steal Ulster's lineout!

Four minutes to go as the visitors work their way up the field.

Harry Sheridan has turned it over and Ulster will look to clear the ball from their 22.

Breathless stuff!

The game is on a knife-edge with now just one point separating the sides and just over six minutes to go.

Ulster knock the ball on and Connacht will now get the chance to clear their lines from the scrum.

Andy Gray

BBC Sport NI at Kingspan Stadium

That's two really soft tries for Ulster to concede. Dan McFarland will be disappointed in the number of missed tackles for both of Connacht's scores.

Hurley-Langton runs in for Connacht's second try

An impressive run down the line from Shamus Hurley-Langton sees Connacht narrow the gap on Ulster.

Watch: Shamus Hurley-Langton scores a try for Connacht

Converted try: Ulster 20-19 Connacht

Just as it looked like time might be running out for Connacht to launch a comeback, they hit back with a fantastic try from winger Shayne Bolton.

A well-worked backs move worked the ball to Bolton who scythed through Ulster's defence, with the winger fending John Cooney's cover tackle and used the momentum to slide over the line.

Jack Carty added the extras with an impressive kick to set up a dramatic finale.

Penalty: Ulster 20-12 Connacht

Connacht concede a penalty for a ruck infringement in their own 22. John Cooney makes no mistake in slotting the ball between the posts.

Ulster now two scores ahead.

Will Addison returns a probing Connacht kick to the backfield with interest, surging forward and then bouncing a low kick into touch.

Connacht cough up the ball at the lineout and Ulster drive forward and secure a penalty in the Connacht 22.

Potentially a crucial moment as John Cooney lines up a penalty kick just to the left of the posts...

'It's a hell of a score'

Tony McWhirter

1999 Ulster European Cup winner on BBC Two NI

"It's a hell of a score - he showed good strength. If you're a winger you would be happy with that try, never mind an open-side wing forward."

Try! Ulster 17-12 Connacht

Game on!

Connacht's Shamus Hurley-Langton shows great strength and some nice footwork as he powers his way down the touchline, fending off a couple of tackles from Will Addison and James Hume to crash over in the corner.

Carty goes wide with the conversion but it's now a one score game and Connacht are in the driving seat.

Another lost opportunity for Connacht as they knock the ball on.

The wet conditions have caused both sides issues, but that will be frustrating for Connacht who are chasing the game.

Ulster have the put-in to the scrum in their own 22 and the hosts now have a brief reprieve as they find touch with their clearance kick.

Ulster almost escape a spell of pressure after Connacht knock the ball on, but they concede a free-kick at the scrum.

Connacht opt for the scrum and a strong carry in midfield from Tom Farrell has put the visitors in a good position.