Edinburgh 32 Connacht 5:Ally Hogg snatched a precious bonus point for Edinburgh as they kick-started their quest to earn a top three finish in the Magners League with a convincing win over Connacht.

Andy Robinson's men were in control for the bulk of the contest at Murrayfield - but they had looked as if they would fail to turn their superiority over the basement boys into a full haul.

However Hogg galloped over just 20 seconds from time to make sure that justice was done.

The opening quarter was a jittery and disjointed affair with both sides committing a spate of basic errors.

The worst of them was made by Scotland ace Hogg, who spilled the ball while under no real pressure. However, he was to make ample amends.

Edinburgh eventually settled into a rhythm and broke the deadlock with a drive-over try.

They stole line-out ball close to the halfway line, then earned a pressure penalty.

Phil Godman launched the ball to touch in the corner - paving the way for Kyle Traynor to be pushed over from close range.

The conversion was from the widest possible angle, however Chris Paterson defied the blustery conditions to add the extras.

And he followed up with a long-range penalty to give his side a useful 10-point cushion.

Paterson was on target again two minutes before the interval when he was given a lucky second chance.

His first attempt at goal fell short, but was fumbled and the Connacht defence gave away a soft penalty, which proved a formality for the Scotland record breaker.

Gunners sealed their success with a burst of two tries in quick succession.

First, Test hooker Ross Ford used his strength to bulldoze his way over after a slick handling sequence.

Then winger Andy Turnbull showed an impressive turn of speed to leave the Connacht defence in his wake.

Paterson struck the post with the initial conversion but got it right with the second from a wide angle.

Lock Jim Hamilton thought he had captured the bonus point for Edinburgh with a fourth score, however it was chalked off for a marginally forward pass seconds earlier.

Edinburgh became careless and following a penalty for backchat, winger Troy Nathan pounced for a consolation try. Then came Hogg's counter, goaled by Paterson.