RABODIRECT PRO12 Edinburgh 28 Scarlets 29:SCARLETS CONSOLIDATED their place in second spot of the RaboDirect PRO12 by taking all five points from a tense encounter at Murrayfield.

The outcome hung in the balance until the final whistle but a late penalty by Rhys Priestland proved to be the killer blow, inflicting further misery on the Scots who have now lost four successive league fixtures and six matches on the trot in all competitions.

The home side had a try from Tim Visser and a string of kicks by man of the match Harry Leonard to thank for their points, while George North touched down twice for Scarlets and was joined on the scoresheet by Nick Reynolds and Gareth Davies, with Aled Thomas landing three conversions and Priestland booting the vital three-pointer.

Edinburgh drew first blood when Visser powered through two tacklers to touch down between the posts and leave Leonard with a straightforward conversion.

The home side’s recent defensive record has been dismal and the frailty in that department was exposed when right wing North appeared on the left flank to blast his way over. Thomas thumped over the touchline conversion to draw the Welshmen level.

The visitors’ pressure paid off in the form of a penalty in front of the posts with two minutes left on the clock.

And Priestland was cast in the role of match winner when he stroked over the kick to inflict the latest defeat on a beleaguered Edinburgh side.

EDINBURGH: Tonks; Jones, Scott, Houston, T Visser; Leonard, Leck; Yapp, Titterrell, Nel, Gilchrist, Cox, Denton, Rennie, McInally.

SCARLETS: L Williams, North, Reynolds, S. Williams, Stoddart, A. Thomas, G. Davies, John, Rees, Lee, Timani, Vallejos, Shingler, J. Edwards, McCusker. Replacements: Owen for L. Williams (63), Priestland for A. Thomas (56), Hopkins for John (63), Owens for Rees (72), Kelly for Vallejos (76), Murphy for McCusker (72). Tries: North 2, Reynolds, G. Davies. Cons: A. Thomas 3. Pens: Priestland.

Referee: Marius Mitrea(Italy).