A stoppage-time try denied the Scarlets a derby victory in a pulsating BKT United Rugby Championship clash at Parc y Scarlets.

Scarlets produced a dominant second-half display to lead 23-16 going into the final minutes, but some late ill-discipline proved costly with replacement Rhys Davies crossing and Jack Walsh converting to steal a 23-23 draw for the visitors.

Fly-half Sam Costelow was the outstanding figure on display, racing over for a brilliant individual try and kicking 13 points in a player-of-the-match performance. Centre Johnny Williams was also not far behind, delivering a powerful midfield showing that included a fine try of his own.

It was the Ospreys who started the stronger with the impressive Gareth Anscombe taking an inside pass for the opening try, which he also converted. Anscombe landed a penalty before Costelow struck back.

The Ospreys 10 was on target again to make it 13-3 then after Costelow was yellow carded for an illegal clear out, it needed a determined defensive effort to prevent the visitors crossing for their second.

On the stroke of half-time came one of the game’s many talking points with Justin Tipuric catching Johnny McNicholl with a late challenge. McNicholl was forced to leave the field for a head injury assessment and it led to a second penalty for Costelow.

After a rusty opening 40 minutes, the Scarlets went through the gears after the break.

A brilliant counter from the lively Tom Rogers paved the way for a third Costelow success, then from the restart Anscombe responded with three of his own.

Wing Keelan Giles was sin-binned for a deliberate knock on and the Scarlets took immediate advantage when Williams burst through midfield and fended off defenders to the line.

Williams could have had a second, but the move was brought back for obstruction.

Then, with 15 minutes minutes remaining, Costelow produced a moment of magic to race clear to the posts for a score (after deliberation by TMO) that he also converted.

Costelow came within inches of a second, but the Scarlets kept pressing for the match-clinching score.

Instead it was the Ospreys who held out and in a dramatic finale headed down the other end of the field where Davies pounced before Walsh landed the game-equalling conversion with the last kick of a dramatic finale.