Ulster 'stopped playing' in Cardiff loss - Murphy

Ulster head coach Richie Murphy believed his side were "in control" of the game before giving up a 14-point advantage to lose to Cardiff in the Challenge Cup.

The northern province were 26-12 ahead after 65 minutes of the game but tries from Danny Southworth and Dan Thomas levelled matters before Callum Sheedy won the game for the hosts with the last kick of the contest.

It was the second large lead surrendered by Ulster at the Arms Park in as many seasons after they fell 21-19 having led 19-0 at half-time in the United Rugby Championship (URC) last October.

"We're 14 points up, we're in control of the game, but we stopped playing a little bit and a couple of loose kicks sort of brings Cardiff back into the game and puts us under pressure," said Murphy.

"[It was a] disappointing way to finish."

Murphy was frustrated that Cardiff's second try of the game, a score which gave the hosts a 12-0 lead, was allowed to stand having felt Leigh Halfpenny had knocked the ball on in the build-up.

"Their second try can't be a try because it hits his [Halfpenny's] hand, hits his chest and goes forward. I'm not sure what the rules are, except for that's definitely a knock on," said Murphy.

"There was quite a few questionable moments within the game. I suppose we don't want to talk about the officiating, but it's hard when things like that go amiss."

Having still taken two points from the defeat, coupled with the bonus-point win over Racing 92 in their Challenge Cup opener last weekend, the 1999 European champions have seven points at the halfway stage of Pool 3.

Despite rotating for the loss against their URC rivals, Ulster remain in a strong position in a competition where four teams from the six in each pool advance to the knock-out stages.

"If you had said two points before the game, would we have taken it? Maybe, but I suppose the big feeling at the moment is just disappointed with how we finished the game," Murphy added.