Ospreys boosted their qualification hopes in the European Champions Cup with a 19-16 victory over Bordeaux Begles at the Liberty Stadium.
The hosts got off to a flying start, as Dan Biggar kicked the hosts to an early 3-0 lead through a penalty, after a promising move from a lineout saw Fijian centre Josh Matavesi just fail to hold onto a pass which would have surely saw the hosts score the first try.
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However, the Begles responded quickly with a penalty of their own, as both sides cancelled each other out in the opening 10 minutes.
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The visitors made the breakthrough by scoring the game's first try, as the French side took advantage of the Ospreys's recent yellow card, with centre Felix Le Bourhis going over to make it 13-6 on the half-hour mark.
Biggar's foot kept the Welsh side in the game, pulling the score back to 13-9 going into the break.
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The contest was turned on its head five minutes into the second half, as Begles wing Jean-Baptiste Dubie received a red card for swinging an arm at Biggar, giving the Welsh side a much-needed lifeline.
The Ospreys took advantage of having an extra man, as wave after wave of attacks pounded the French defence, which was hindered after the red card, as Biggar scored the home side's first try of the game to give his side a 19-13 lead.
Romain Lonca reduced the deficit with a penalty to set up a difficult finish for Ospreys, who struggled to display the clinical edge they needed in the second half.
However, Jean-Baptiste Poux was sent to the sin-bin with just five minutes remaining as Bordeaux were made to finish with 13 men on the pitch on a frustrating night for the visitors.
Callum Mulvihill
