The pressure continues to mount on Ulster head coach Dan McFarland after Ulster lost 19-17 to the Ospreys on Sunday.
Ireland Six Nations representatives Ian Henderson, Nick Timane and Jacob Stockdale all started, but they were unable to turn Wales around.
Converted tries by Marcus Rea and Tom Stewart and a penalty by Jake Flannery held them at a 17-16 advantage until the final moments, but the hosts had the final say.
A goal from Kieran Williams and three penalties from Dan Edwards kept the game in the game until the fly-half took aim from about 40 meters out.
His superb drop goal perfectly bisected the right field, giving the Ospreys a valuable victory and lifting them above Ulster and into seventh place in the United Rugby Championship table.
The visiting team also lost Henderson in the first half as the Irish lock was replaced due to a foot injury.
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The Ospreys had the first chance to score, but Edwards sent a 40-metre penalty shot wide of the target. This was the only moment that drew attention in the first quarter, where there were a series of mistakes and no points.
The home side had a narrow advantage in the early stages and put a lot of pressure on their opponents at the scrum, but Ulster should have taken the lead.
Irish Province awarded a simple kick on goal, but Flannery opted for a cross-field kick, which he took immediately, which Stockdale was unable to collect and secure a touchdown.
Ulster's prop Marty Moore was forced off with an injury and they quickly turned things around again with Edwards giving Ospreys the lead with a 29th-minute penalty.
The visitors' woes continued when captain and Ireland international Henderson became the second forward to withdraw injured.
However, Ulster recovered and took the lead in the 34th minute. They earned three penalties in quick succession and were rewarded when Ray nailed back-to-back forward drives.
Nathan Doak converted before Edwards took his second penalty, giving the Ospreys a 7-6 lead at the interval.
Eight minutes after the restart, the Ospreys lost Morgan Morse to a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on, but the next goal was scored by Edwards, who took his third penalty kick to put the hosts ahead.
🤯 Scene!!
Dan Edwards' drop goal scored the Ospreys the winning goal. 👏pic.twitter.com/Q3bhIbWql5
— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) February 18, 2024
James Rattie became the second Ospreys player to be sent to the sin bin, and the home side were down to 13 points, with Ulster scoring from Stewart's lineout drive.
However, Ulster substitute Luke Marshall was shown a yellow card within two minutes of entering the field, and the game swung again, with the hosts paying the price with a brilliant breakthrough try.
Deep in the Ospreys' 22, Jack Walsh intercepted a poor pass from Flannery, sending Edwards running 55 meters. The outside half was cornered by Flannery, whose pass allowed Williams to run unopposed to the line, and Edwards added another point to make it 16-14, with an Osprey header in the final 10 minutes.
The Ospreys must have feared the worst when Ulster regained the lead with Flannery's superb penalty from inside their own half with five minutes remaining, but Edwards' late drop goal handed the hosts the spoils. had another idea.
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