Celtic League/ Glasgow 18 Ulster 27: Isaac Boss is well used to play-offs from his Super 12 and NPC days and the New Zealander believes Ulster must approach their final four Celtic League matches as a cup run if they are to clinch the title.
The Ireland-qualified scrumhalf once again underscored his growing influence at the heart of the Ulster side with another man-of-the-match display in the defeat of Glasgow at Firhill on Saturday night, Ulster's sixth win on the road in this competition from eight outings, by far the best record in the league.
Boss's service has improved dramatically since he arrived at Ravenhill last October and his physical presence at the base of rucks and mauls was rewarded with one of Ulster's two first-half tries, while his excellent box-kicking also caught the eye.
If he continues in this form, he is bound to come into coach Eddie O'Sullivan's thinking for the summer tour to New Zealand and Australia, but of more immediate concern for Boss is making sure Ulster don't falter in pursuit of their first silverware since the Celtic Cup triumph in December 2003.
Leinster lead Ulster by three points in the league table, but Mark McCall's side have a game in hand on Michael Cheika's side.
Ulster must wait three weeks for their next assignment but know that if they win their remaining four games - back-to-back through May - they will be crowned champions.
"The key for us is to keep our team-work going and get our confidence up," said Boss, who qualifies for Ireland via a grandmother, who comes from Co Antrim.
"It is going to be like knock-out rugby for us. We can't afford to drop matches at this stage. We have our own destiny in our hands and we believe we can deliver."
The key for Ulster is to deliver two five-point hauls from their next two home games to put them in the driving seat ahead of two tricky away trips to Llanelli, who also have an outside chance of winning the title, and last season's champions, Neath-Swansea Ospreys.
The bonus point once again eluded Ulster on Saturday, despite their taking a 21-3 lead just after the restart via tries by Boss and lock Justin Harrison, with David Humphreys slotting three penalties and a conversion.
With the perfect platform to push on for the fourth try, Ulster instead found themselves firefighting as Glasgow fought back through tries by John Beattie and Hefin O'Hare.
The home side at one stage reduced the deficit to just six points and it was left to the trusty boot of Humphreys, who added two more penalties, to guide Ulster home.
SCORING SEQUENCE: 2 mins: D Humphreys pen, 0-3; 19: I Boss try, Humphreys con, 0-10; 30: D Parks pen, 3-10; 34: Humphreys pen 3-13; 36: J Harrison try, 3-18; 45: Humphreys pen, 3-21; 51: J Beattie try, 8-21; 57: Humphreys pen, 8-24; 61: Parks pen, 11-24; 64: H O'Hare try, Parks con 18-24; 68: Humphreys pen, 18-27.
GLASGOW: G Staniforth; R Lamont, H O'Hare, A Henderson, C Shaw; D Parks, S Pinder; K Tkachuk, S Lawson, E Murray; D Turner, C Hamilton; A Wilson, J Petrie, D Macfadyen. Replacements: J Barclay for Wilson (37 mins); J Beattie for Macfadyen (40 mins); F Thompson for Lawson, B Prescott for Murray (both 58 mins); J Eddie for Turner (62 mins), C Howarth for Pinder (79 mins).
ULSTER: B Cunningham; T Bowe, A Trimble, J Bell, A Maxwell; D Humphreys, I Boss; B Young, R Best, S Best; J Harrison, M McCullough; N Best, S Ferris, R Wilson. Replacements: N McMillan for Ferris (65 mins); J Fitzpatrick for Young (69 mins); J Topping for Maxwell (79 mins).
Referee: T Hayes (WRU)
