A late fightback was not enough to prevent Connacht taking the spoils 29-23 to secure their first ever win at Parc y Scarlets.

The Scarlets will feel they created enough chances to snatch the victory in the second period of this URC clash, but they failed to finish when it mattered and ill-discipline cost them throughout.

It had started promisingly with the home side dominating the opening exchanges.

But, driven by the boot of international fly-half Jack Carty, the Irish province gained control as the match went on.

Scarlets bossed the opening quarter and after Dan Jones had landed an early penalty, the home side crafted the game’s first try on 19 minutes.

The forwards rumbled forward from an attacking line-out and when the ball was spun wide, Scott Williamas delivered an inch-perfect kick through into the path of centre partner Johnny Williams who pounced for his first score in Scarlets colours.

Jones converted, but against the run of play, it was the visitors who struck next.

A cross-field kick from Jones was plucked out of the air inside the Connacht half and it resulted in centre Sam Arnold crossing.

Carty missed the conversion, but added two further penalties to nudge his side ahead for the first time.

Jones responded with three points of his own after a superb turnover penalty from Daf Hughes, but on the stroke of half-time Connacht claimed their second try courtesy of a short-range effort from lock Leva Fifita.

Leading 18-11 at the break, Carty added two further penalties to extend the visitors’ advantage.

It got worse for the Scarlets when wing John Porch was freed down the blindside to dive over for his side’s third.

Needing a spark, replacement Kieran Hardy provided it, taking a quick tap only to be impeded by the Connacht defence.

Referee Craig Evans handed Fifita a yellow card and after consulting with the television match adjudged that a try would have been scored and awarded the Scarlets a penalty try.

Scarlets had further chances - Hardy spilled an inside pass from Sione Kalamafoni with the line at his mercy and Marc Jones lost control of the ball as he touched down over the line.

After Fifita saw a second yellow for a late challenge on Ioan Nicholas, a penalty from replacement Rhys Patchell four minutes from time set up a grandstand finish.

But the Scarlets were unable to make any further inroads and Connacht celebrated a first win at the ground.