BLUES ARE SUFFERING AFTER THIS SAD SHOW.

THE Blues season went from bad to worse as they fell to a third defeat in the Magners League against a side which had not beaten them in four years.

And, even when the Blues were presented with their get-out-of-jail card in the final minute, Ben Blair, impeccable with the boot until then, missed a match-winning penalty from 40 metres.

And to compound a miserable night for the Blues, Jamie Roberts limped off at half-time and is doubtful for the visit of the Scarlets next Saturday.

Connacht, also winless going into this encounter and shaken after being hammered 62-13 in Murrayfield the previous week, thoroughly deserved their victory at the Sportsground last night.

It may have been the first time in four seasons that Connacht have managed to turn over the Blues, but the only surprise was that the margin was so tight.

Michael Bradley's men could have been robbed of a great win in the dying seconds, but Blair missed his only kick from five.

His assured accuracy with the boot had kept the Blues alive in a game where they struggled to break down a rugged defence.

That ensured that Cardiff remain without a win after three games and they face a searching examination after being outgunned by a fired-up Connacht.

Connacht kept their discipline and their shape and should have sealed the issue long before giving Cardiff the chance to steal it at the death.

And they managed to carve out the win despite slipping 10-0 adrift in the opening half.

It looked good for the Blues after Blair finished a good move in the left corner after just six minutes following a good break by Gareth Thomas.

But that was the only chance of note that Cardiff managed to create, despite good possession, as the Connacht defence was outstanding from start to finish.

Connacht enjoyed plenty of possession, but did not convert it into scores with Miah Nikora, making his competitive debut, missing his first kick from 30 metres and then fluffing one from 22 after a Ray Ofisa break came within inches of landing a try.

Ian Keatley came on and took over the kicking duties, but he, too, was off target from the 10-metre line after 30 minutes.

Despite these let-offs, the Blues were unable to piece together anything tangible going forward.

Connacht got some reward before the break when Keatley landed one from 30 metres, but, in truth, Connacht should have been out in front at that stage.

Cardiff, turned over by Edinburgh and Munster in their opening games, came out with all guns blazing after the restart, but the Connacht defence was superb with Sean Cronin, Brett Wilkinson, Keith Matthews and Troy Nathan in excellent form.

And, having lost two men to the bin in each of their last two games, Connacht's discipline was top class and they did not concede any penalties despite the pressure.

With Frank Murphy pulling the strings, Connacht got go-forward ball and a series of surges eventually yielded a try with Fionn Carr chasing Gavin Duffy's hack and getting the touchdown after 43 minutes.

Moments earlier Cardiff winger Chris Czekaj had managed to get across and deprive Carr to the touchdown.

Cardiff crumbled under the pressure and after Tongan flanker Ma'ama Molitika was binned for killing the ball, Connacht went for touch. Surge after surge was repelled, but eventually the pressure paid off and Carr got in at the right corner after 59 minutes.

Keatley landed the touchline conversion to make it 15-10 and he extended Connacht's with a 66th-minute penalty.

In fairness, the Blues finished strongly, but never looked like scoring a try. Yet, it seemed that the dependable boot of Blair would prevent a third loss.

He reduced the margin from 40 metres after 70 minutes and three minutes later left just two between them with an effort from 35 metres.

But the Kiwi was unable to save the Blues when his effort from 40 metres on the right, after Connacht had needlessly fouled in the ruck, narrowly missed the target.

It would have been rough justice on Connacht, but the attention will now turn to the visit of the Scarlets and on this form Cardiff fans could be in for another dose of the blues.

TO THE POINT CONNACHT G Duffy; B Tuohy, T Nathan, K Matthews, F Carr; M Nikora (I Keatley 28), F Murphy; B Wilkinson, S Cronin (A Flavin 71), J Hagan (R Loughney 74); A Browne (M McCarthy 55), B Upton; J Muldoon, R Ofisa (J O'Connor 63), M McComish. Scorers Tries - Carr (2); Con - Keatley; Pen - Keatley (2).

CARDIFF BLUES B Blair; L Halfpenny, G Thomas, J Roberts (G Evans HT), C Czekaj; C Sweeney (S Norton-Knight 60), R Rees; J Yapp, G Williams (T Rhys Thomas 63), T Filise; B Davies (D Jones 66), P Tito; M Molitika (A Powell 66), S Warburton, X Rush.

Scorers Try - Blair; Con - Blair; Pens - Blair (3).

Attendance: 1,425. Referee: N Patterson (Scotland).

CAPTION(S):

Connacht''s Frank Murphy and Miah Nikora tackle Jamie Roberts PICTURE: Huw Evans Agency