RaboDirect PRO12: Two penalties see Leinster beat Glasgow on Friday
Glasgow's top four hopes suffered a blow after Leinster claimed a 6-0 victory in Friday night's RaboDirect PRO12 clash.
Last Updated: 23/11/12 9:56pm
Fly-half Ian Madigan scored the only points of the game for the visitors with successful penalties in each half.
Madigan opened the scoring in the fifth minute and doubled his side's tally after half-time by slotting home another three-pointer with 49 minutes played.
The visitors took an early lead, Madigan converting a penalty with a swift kick from 40 yards to calm any nerves the depleted European champions may have had.
Ten minutes later Glasgow found themselves defending on their own try line during a spell of play in which Leinster went through the phases. The move failed to result in points, however, as a fumble by Madigan following a robust tackle by Josh Strauss drained the momentum out of the attack.
Leinster's dominance caused only frustration for the Warriors, leading to Tom Ryder entering the sin-bin after a lack of discipline in the ruck after 24 minutes.
However, Madigan missed with the subsequent kick, ushering in a period where neither side managed to put together anything of real note.
Despite pressure from Glasgow early in the second half it was Leinster who scored next as Madigan converted a routine penalty as rain started to fall eight minutes into the half.
With Warriors captain Chris Fusaro in the sin bin for preventing release of the ball, Glasgow still had the chance to cut the deficit with a Peter Horne penalty from the halfway line. The chance, in increasingly difficult weather conditions as drizzle became downpour, was missed.
Just before the hour mark Horne had the chance to redeem himself but his second penalty attempt was a genuine miskick, failing to get above head height.
Substitute Scott Wight, who replaced Ruaridh Jackson at fly-half, had no luck when he lined up another penalty for the home side after 63 minutes and his fluffed attempt could not get Glasgow's first points of the night.
Glasgow were to rue these missed penalty chances, and despite playing the remainder of the game in Leinster's half, the European champions held on for the win.