Glasgow and Ulster play out thrilling draw in URC

Tries: B Ward, McIlroy, Murphy, Mullins, Augustus Cons: Murphy 3, Doak

George Horne's late penalty hit the post as Glasgow Warriors and Ulster played out a thrilling 33-33 draw in the United Rugby Championship.

Ulster, seeking their first win in Glasgow in more than five years, led 19-14 at the break but the Warriors scored three tries in a clinical nine-minute spell when Ulster had two players sin-binned to take the lead.

But Glasgow were reduced to 13 inside the final 10 minutes and Juarno Augustus' try, converted by Nathan Doak, levelled the game.

Despite being two players down, Horne had a chance to win the match but his penalty came back off the upright with four minutes left and the points were shared at Scotstoun.

There was blow for Ulster before kick-off as Jacob Stockdale, set to win his 150th cap, was forced out of the starting team in the warm-up but the visitors did not let his withdrawal impact their start.

After being slow out of the blocks at home to Edinburgh in their opener proved costly, Ulster started the better side and took the lead when Bryn Ward barrelled over the line in the fourth minute from a short penalty, and Jack Murphy converted.

But Glasgow, who only lost at home once in the entirety of last season, hit back when Josh McKay rounded off a flowing move, and George Horne added the conversion to level the game.

That handed the Warriors the momentum but the hosts were soon reduced to 14 players when Dan Lancaster was sent to the sin-bin for a deliberate knock on, and Ulster immediately capitalised when Ethan McIlroy darted through a gap to score after building pressure on the home line.

Glasgow responded when Kyle Rowe crossed after a superb pass by centre Stafford McDowall, which took three Ulster players out of the game, and Horne converted to put the hosts into a two-point lead.

There was a final twist in the half when Horne won a penalty after being dragged into a ruck but retaliated by throwing the ball at Ulster hooker Tom Stewart, and the decision was reversed.

Ulster went up the other end and McIlroy's superb offload allowed Murphy to cross in the final play of the half.

The fly-half converted his own score to give Ulster a five-point lead at the break.

Chay Mullins marked his debut by scoring Ulster's bonus-point try just six minutes after the restart after more good work from McIlroy, and Murphy's conversion put the visitors 12 points clear.

But indiscipline cost Ulster as Ben Carson, who was drafted into the team to replace Stockdale, was sent to the sin bin for a high tackle on McDowall and, in the following play, McIlroy was also carded for a deliberate knock on to leave Richie Murphy's side with 13 players.

Glasgow immediately took advantage as Jamie Dobie raced over in the corner after the hosts worked some space, and Horne landed his third conversion of the game.

The hosts were held up over the line from a rolling maul, but they made the most of their momentum when Sam Talakai burrowed over the line to level the game, and Horne nudged Glasgow back in front.

Despite having Carson back on the field, Rowe then raced clear to extend Glasgow's lead after some soft Ulster defence.

But Rory Darge and Talakai were sent to the sin bin inside the final 10 minutes to leave the hosts with 13 after repeated infringements as Ulster camped on the Glasgow line, and Augustus crashed over before Doak levelled the game.

In late drama, Carson was penalised for holding on at a ruck to give Glasgow a kickable penalty but Horne could only hit the upright.

The final minutes were chaotic as both sides threw away possession in search of a decisive score, but Zac Ward was bundled into touch with the clock in the red to ensure the game ended level.

Glasgow Warriors host Connacht on Friday in their third match of the season while Ulster face Munster in Belfast on Saturday.

Glasgow: McKay; Rowe; McDowall, Tuipulotu; Dobie; Lancaster, Horne; Schickering, Hiddleston, Richardson; Brown, Williamson;Miller, Fraser, Fagerson.

Replacements: Stephen, McBeth, Talakai, Cummings, Darge, Duncan, Reidy, Kuenzle.

Ulster: McIlroy, Mullins, Carson, Benson, Z Ward; Murphy, Devine; O'Sullivan, Stewart, Knox; Izuchukwu, Snyman; McKillop, McCann, B Ward.

Replacements: Walker, McAllister, Bello, Donnell, McNabney, Doak, Flannery, Augustus.