Former champions Ulster kept their hopes of a European Cup quarter-final place alive on Friday with a 21-13 victory over Edinburgh in windswept Belfast.
Ulster, champions in 1999, moved into second spot in Pool 4 alongside Stade Francais on 13 points, but the French side will be favourites to restore their advantage when they meet already-eliminated Bath on Saturday.
Issac Boss and Darren Cave scored tries and Ian Humphreys kicked eight points, with Niall O'Connor adding a penalty for the Irishmen.
Edinburgh replied with a Jim Thompson try and eight points from the boot of Chris Paterson.
"It wasn't ideal conditions but four points any which way is ideal for us," said scrum-half Boss.
"We worked hard in defence which also helped set up a few scoring opportunities for us. Hopefully, Bath or Edinburgh will do us a favour over the next two weekends."
In Friday's other game, Glasgow edged Newport-Gwent Dragons 29-25, but neither side can qualify for the last eight from a Pool 2 dominated by Biarritz who have a perfect record of four wins in four games and 18 points.
On Saturday, Ospreys face French league leaders Clermont, boasting a four-point lead over their hosts as well as English giants Leicester who sit in third place in Pool 3.
"We are at crunch time now, and you can't fail to be excited about it," said Ospreys and Wales back-row forward Ryan Jones.
"We've worked hard to put ourselves in a good position after four rounds of the tournament, but this is where the hard work really starts."
A losing bonus point at Clermont and a home win over Leicester next weekend would be enough for Ospreys, who welcome back Welsh internationals Lee Byrne, prop Adam Jones and lock Ian Evans into a team complemented by ex-All Black enforcer Jerry Collins and compatriot Marty Holah at open-side flanker.
The nail-biting nature of European Cup action sees only the six pool winners and two best placed runners-up qualify for the quarter-finals.
Three-time champions Toulouse play Harlequins at home on Sunday, with Pool 5's second-placed Sale travelling to Cardiff Blues for what is a must-win game for the Welsh outfit.
Jean-Baptiste Elissalde comes in for the injured Toulouse playmaker David Skrela.
Reigning champions Leinster, currently second in Pool 6 behind London Irish, host French club Brive, with the exiles playing away at Scarlets.
Northampton must beat Perpignan in Pool 1 at home on Sunday and then conjure up a win away in Limerick against Munster if they are to reach the knock-out stages for only the second time.
Copyright 2010 AFP Global Edition
