What should have been an easy league fixture turned out to be far from that.

The Scarlets need to win everything to keep their European dream alive for next season.

At 23-7 ahead early in the second half all seemed plain sailing for the home side.

But the slick Scots decided to read from another script and with just a quarter of an hour to go they had made it 28-28.

In an error-strewn game Llanelli struck within the first minute with a try from prop Martyn Madden.

And with Stephen Jones kicking his goals another try midway through the half, from lock Vernon Cooper, made it 17-0 and all seemed according to the home side's plan.

But Edinburgh served notice that they were not prepared to roll over as impressive full-back Chris Paterson got the first of his two tries.

But when Jones landed two more penalty goals it seemed to be plain sailing once again for Llanelli.

Frantic

But there was a shock in store for the Welshmen.

Flanker Martin Leslie and wing Conan Sharman scored fine tries, both of which the reliable Duncan Hodge converted.

Llanelli found themselves involved in a real fight.

They steadied a little with a try from Neil Boobyer before Paterson struck again.

Hodge's fourth successful kick tied the match going into a frantic final quarter of an hour.

But Llanelli came again to seal a hard earned victory with a try by centre Dafydd James, one for flanker David Hodges and a further penalty goal and conversion by Jones.

But no-one could doubt it had been a lot closer than the final score suggested.

Llanelli: Tries: James, Madden, Cooper, Hodges, N. Boobyer. Cons: S. Jones 3. Pens: S. Jones 4.

Edinburgh Reivers: Tries: Paterson 2, Sharman, Leslie. Cons: Hodge 4.

Att: 2,500

Teams -

Llanelli: Cardey; G Evans, James, L Davies, M Jones; S Jones, G Easterby; Booth, McBryde, Madden, Cooper, C Gillies, Hodges, I Boobyer, Quinnell.
Replacements: N Boobyer, Lawson, Peel, J Davies, M Thomas, Wyatt, G Williams.

Edinburgh Reivers: Paterson; Murray, Di Rollo, Officer, Sharman; Hodge, Burns; Jacobsen, Scott, Smith, Metcalfe, Fullarton, Mackinnon, Leslie, S Taylor.
Replacements: Joiner, Shiel, Fairley, Robertson, Douglas, A Dall, G Dall.

Referee: Tony Rowlands (Treorchy).