Connacht did all they could to keep alive their hopes of making the last 16 with this bonus-point victory in Galway.

They now have to wait on anxiously and hope Lyon can do them a favour against Saracens on Saturday.

It was a miserable night for the Bears, who failed to receover from the early dismissal of lock Josh Caulfield.

Bristol drop from a qualifying spot to bottom place as their Champions Cup campaign comes to an end.

That's all from us for now but we'll be back tomorrow for more European action.

Thanks for your company.

Connacht winger Andrew Smith talks to TNT Sports after the game on his try that was disallowed:

"It doesnt matter too much to me as i got the second one, so i'm happy enough" he said.

"I'm just delighted to get a few appearances this season.

" There was a bit of confusion at the end if we were still in the hunt to qualify, but we're delighted to get the job done tonight so happy days."

It's all over at the Dexcom Stadium.

Connacht live on for another day after claiming a bonus-point victory as Bristol bow out of the Champions Cup for another year.

All attention in Pool 1 now moves to Saracens v Lyon tomorrow night with Connacht desperately wanting a French victory.

Tries from Shayne Bolton, Jack Aungier, Caolin Blade and Andrew Smith did the damage against ten-man Bristol who lost Josh Caulfield to a red card in the first half.

Jack Carty finishes off Bristol with a kick from in front of the posts 20-metres out.

As the drizzle comes down in Galway, the ball is getting more and more slippery.

Dave Heffernan makes a good break into the Bristol 22, but the impressive Andrew Smith spills the ball forward as he attempts a pick up from the base of the ruck.

I think Connacht boss Pete Wilkins may forgive him.

It's end-to-end now at the Dexcom Stadium.

Both sides throwing the ball around but they are getting isolated and turned over all too frequently. Into the last five now.

Connacht can't get out of their half at the moment.

Credit to the visitors for pummeling away. They go so close to getting over following a sniping quick-tap penalty from Kieran Marmion. But on the next phase Kyle Sinckler spills the ball inches from the line and Tiernan O’Halloran comes away with it.

The answer is ....no.

Bristol win the lineout from five metres, but as they maul towards the Connacht line, they can't prevent the home side getting bodies under the ball and as the maul collapses so does Bristol's chances.

Scrum Connacht.

The ball is getting flung around the pitch like the proverbial potato, just out of the oven.

Some errors creeping in though as Bristol become more desperate.

The visitors do win a penalty inside the Connacht 22 for a side entry. Can they make it count as they go to the corner?

David Hawkshaw take a bow.

Janse Van Rensburg with a delicate grubber on the right wing.

The ball is collected by threatening winger Kalaveti Ravouvou, who spins and dances his way through a bunch of Connacht defenders before falling over the try line.

However, a TMO check shows he lost control of the ball over the line, Hawkshaw with a hand in the way to force the spillage, fantastic defence.

Finlay Bealham thought his night was over, but he's back on again for Jack Aungier who goes off for blood treatment.

Connacht up to fourth spot in the table as it stands, which would see them qualify for the last 16 of the Champions Cup, but it still would rely on a huge Lyon upset against Saracens over the weekend.

Kieran Marmion comes on for Bristol to face the club he spent 11 seasons at, a warm reception greets him from all in the crowd.

Ireland Sevens star Andrew Smith came within a blade of grass (or plastic) of scoring one of the best-finished tries ever.

Connacht annihalated the Bristol scrum inside the 22 before Caolin Blade spread the ball wide eventually making its way to Smith tight on the right touchline. As three defenders close in, he lunges to the line, way out of play in mid-air to ground the ball.

However, after a lengthy TMO check it is disallowed for a toe in touch. So unfortunate.

Jack Carty punts the second-half off and it is Bristol with it all to do in this second period.

They must pull off a comeback victory a man down also. Let's see how they go.

Referee Pierre Brousset blows his whistle for half-time and fans can grab a breather.

A half that had it all, tries, a red card and a yellow one.

It's the home side however, that have a sizeable advantage.

Tries from Shayne Bolton, Jack Aungier and Caolin Blade give them a real shot of continuing their European journey.