Guinness PRO12: Ulster 30-6 Leinster

Johnny Sexton makes the break for Leinster in their PRO12 defeat at Ulster

Ulster kept their semi-final hopes alive with a 30-6 victory at home to third-placed Leinster in the Guinness PRO12 on Saturday.

Les Kiss' side capitalised on their opponents' indiscipline, scoring a penalty try as well as a score from Jared Payne in a enthralling first half at the Kingspan Stadium.

Paddy Jackson played an integral part in the victory that keeps Ulster on course for a semi-final spot, contributing 16 points, including a try in the dying moments of the match.

Jonny Sexton's two shots from the tee were all that Leinster could show for their efforts, in a match where they spent 20 minutes down to 14 men.

Leinster had the first opportunity of the match when a ferocious kick chase from Isa Nacewa and Rob Kearney forced a lineout five metres out, but the away side failed to capitalise and were penalised for holding on.

Rob Kearney was shown yellow after impeding the run of Ruan Pienaar as he raced for the line

The first points went the way of the home side however, when Jack McGrath was penalised for blocking Andrew Trimble, with Paddy Jackson duly slotting the three points.

Ulster extended their lead to 10-0 on 18 minutes, a penalty try awarded after Kearney blocked an on-running Ruan Pienaar just short of the line, a move that also saw the Leinster full back shown yellow. 

Sexton got Leinster off the mark with a penalty following over-exuberance at the breakdown from Ulster, marking a double boost for his side as Kearney returned to the field.  

The Ireland fly-half reduced his side's deficit with a further penalty shortly before the break, taking the score to 10-6. 

Leinster were reduced to 14 men again after 54 minutes, Luke Fitzgerald the man getting the spell on the sidelines on this occasion as he held back Luke Marshall without the ball, Jackson punishing their indiscipline with a successful kick at goal. 

The victory sees Ulster continue their quest for a top-four place

Ulster capitalised on their man advantage moments later, Payne the man to get his name on the scoresheet after a dominant rolling maul and quick hands from Jackson and Marshall put their full-back into space.

Leinster went on to chase their opponents, building the pressure through strong carries by Mike Ross and Mick Kearney but the white wall of the Ulster defence held firm.

With just 10 minutes remaining on the clock, Jackson kicked his side even further out of reach of their opponents.

Jackson topped his impressive afternoon with a try of his own just before time, the fly-half latching on to a floated Eoin Reddan pass, showing his pace to race away under the posts.