CONNACHT 23

BOURGOIN 20

Connacht advanced to the semi-finals of the Amlin Challenge Cup thanks to a drop goal in the dying moments from Miah Nikora.

It completed a great comeback after Bourgoin had hit the front for the first time going into the last quarter.

A superb Connacht display against the wind saw them lead 14-10 at the interval thanks to tries from Michael Swift and captain John Muldoon, both of whic were converted by Ian Keatley.

Bourgoin hooker Tone Alefa Kopelani got over for a try in between and Benjamin Boyet converted as well as kicking penalties either side of the break.

That reduced the deficit to 14-13 and then Bourgoin took the lead for the first time after 58 minutes when scrum-half John Senio burst over.

But the introduction of Miah Nikora saw him reduce the deficit with a penalty and he landed another seven minutes from time to level the game.

The match-winning kick came 90 seconds from the end when another superb drive by Connacht set up the opportunity and Nikora seized the moment to send Connacht into the semi-finals for the third time in history.