Scarlets survived a late scare against Ulster to claim a 22-13 victory at Parc Y Scarlets and keep their European Rugby Champions Cup Pool Three qualifying hopes alive.

The kicking of Rhys Priestland proved to be the difference between the two teams in a tryless first half, with the Wales international splitting the sticks on four occasions to leave his side with a fairly hefty lead at the interval.

That advantage was soon reduced just two minutes after the restart, however, when Darren Cave waltzed through a gap in the hosts' defence to cross over.

Ian Humphreys made no mistake with the conversion to draw his side within five points of the Welsh outfit, although the fly-half was not so accurate with his penalty attempt after 53 minutes which would have reduced the arrears even further.

Scarlets were able to add further points to their tally when Priestland once more kicked over on the hour, and the task was made even harder for the Ulstermen when Declan Fitzpatrick was issued a yellow card after collapsing a scrum.

But the visitors managed to find a route back into the game 10 minutes from time when Ruan Pienaar found the sticks twice within the space of a couple of minutes, after Scarlets were penalised for offside play.

However, Scarlets managed to dig deep to find the try line for the first time in the contest through James Davies at the death to secure the vital points which helps keep their European ambitions alive.