Benetton 17-19 Connacht: Hero Aki’s last-minute try saves Connacht

CONNACHT assistant coach Nigel Carolan hailed Bundee Aki's experience and drive for snatching victory in the final play in Treviso.

Connacht looked set for a shock defeat when Aki, left out of the Ireland squad for Rome, coughed up a penalty in front of his own posts which Edoardo Padovani converted three minutes from time and looked set to give them their first win of the season.

But Connacht hit back and Aki won the first of two penalties to the right corner before he drove over for the winner in the dying moments to break Benetton hearts.

“That's Bundee all over. He was there to finish it off when it mattered most,” said Carolan. “They displayed great composure to get the drive and win the game.

Connacht, with head coach Andy Friend monitoring matters back home in Galway after being unable to travel to Italy after picking up a knee injury at the Sportsground, struggled to impose themselves after failing to build on a promising start.

Connacht dominated the opening quarter but only had a try from tighthead Finlay Bealham for their efforts when he squeezed over after a sustained attack on the home line after 17 minutes, with Conor Fitzgerald converting.

But Benetton hit back and built the phases, with Connacht hooker Shane Delahunt binned five minutes from the break for a dangerous tackle as the Italians piled on the pressure.

And the Treviso side made them pay, with former Italy U20 flanker Davide Ruggeri getting over beside the posts. Then a poor kick from Fitzgerald and slack defending from Peter Sullivan and Aki led to a try from distance from former Italian winger Leonardo Sarto to lead 14-7 at the interval.

Connacht upped the ante after the restart and got back on level terms inside two minutes despite being still down a man but they drove at the Benetton line and loosehead Paddy McAllister got over for his first Connacht try.

Benetton, having been pipped by Munster in their last home game, enjoyed plenty of possession and looked set for the win when Padovani kicked the late penalty, but Aki's first try since the opening day of the season secured a record fifth league away win in a row.