Ospreys 20 Munster 22:Munster all but ended Ospreys hopes of a place in the Magners League play-offs with a last gasp penalty from Ireland outhalf Ronan O'Gara.

A second half fightback from the homeside had left them in them pole position to overtake Cardiff Blues in fourth place, but extraordinary indiscipline and lack of composure afforded O’Gara the chance to win it from in front of the posts.

Jerry Collins was guilty of giving Munster field position with 30 seconds to go after his high tackle on Felix Jones resulted in a penalty that O’Gara kicked for touch. From the lineout, the outhalf dropped into the pocket before skewing his effort wide. However, Ospreys had strayed offside when closing him down and O’Gara took the second opportunity to secure a result that virtually secures Ulster’s place in the top four.

The match was locked at 0-0 going into the second quarter and the best chance of a try fell to Munster, who worked good lineout ball out to the left where Keith Earls knocked on as he was trying to gather the ball over the line.

In the 20th minute an encouraging attack saw hooker Richard Hibbard put James Hook over in the left corner but the try was ruled out on the intervention of the television match official for a foot in touch.

But on 23 minutes the deadlock was broken when O'Gara kicked a penalty from the 22. And Munster followed that up with a try on 32 minutes courtesy of openside flanker David Wallace, who went on a bulldozing run over the line for a try converted by O'Gara.

The Ospreys finally got on the scoreboard four minutes later with a Dan Biggar penalty. But it was not a good start to the second half for the Ospreys with O'Gara restoring Munster's 10-point lead with a penalty.

Biggar was just wide of the mark with a penalty attempt four minutes later, but the Ospreys got right back in the contest by scoring two tries in the space of seven minutes.

On 52 minutes skipper Alun-Wyn Jones was on hand to go over for a converted try from a forward drive which cut Munster's lead to 13-10.

That seemed to inspire the Ospreys as wing Richard Fussell went on an impressive run which put the region in a good territorial position.

And from there they had a series of scrums from which they earned a penalty try to go 17-13 ahead.

The reliable boot of O'Gara restored the Munster lead with two penalties on 69 and 73 minutes.

However, Hook, in his last home game before he joins Perpignan, stole back the lead with his own penalty four minutes from time, while O'Gara saw a drop-goal attempt screw wide of the target with time running out.

He made amends, however, in injury time by putting over the winning penalty.