DANIE POOLMAN’S TRY in the 69th minute whipped the Sportground into a frenzy, but the fervour was not enough to push to western province over the line as Edinburgh held on for a 23-24 win.
The home side never enjoyed a lead against former coach Michael Bradley, falling behind to Tim Visser’s fifth minute try.
Connacht responded instantly with Mick Kearney claiming the spoils from a line-out catch and drive.
Dan Parks and Greig Laidlaw traded penalties before the latter landed a hammer blow for the visitors, chipping through to fin Matt Scott able to step Robbie Henshaw to go under the posts.
Parks would chip in with another penalty either side of a half-time score of 17-13 to bring Connacth within a point on the hour mark.
However, Edinburgh kept finding the extra gear needed. David Denton broke Connacht tackles to make fully 40 metres on the gallop before giving Stuart McInally a score under the posts.
Poolman would round off a fine move after the hosts moved the ball from right to left. The wind was in their sails and they would plunder another route forward.
With just 90 second left on the clock Parks sat back in the pocket directly in front of the posts and was left to watch in agony as the ball trailed wide off his right boot.
