Pontypridd are out of next season's Heineken European Cup after being narrowly beaten by an injury time score by visitors Neath.

This was a cut and thrust league clash where the outcome was in balance right up to the final whistle.

Neath can thank super substitute, outside half Greg Miller, for this success that keeps alive their chances of finishing in the top five and qualifying for Europe next year.

Neath went on the attack from the kick-off and, after intense pressure in the Pontypridd 22, took the lead with a try from outside half Patrick Hogan in the sixth minute.

With Neath calling the tune they continued to dominate proceedings at all phases, but Shane Williams missed an easy 22 metre penalty to increase their lead.

As the half progressed Ponty came more into the action and a break into the Neath 22 by number eight Michael Owen saw the ball released to the backs but a pass was dropped with an overlap available.

Ponty kept up the pressure and a grubber kick towards the corner by Jason Lewis saw Gareth Wyatt out-strip the defence to cross wide out.

Brett Davey converted to put Ponty in front.

Helpless

Before the interval Ponty struck again.

Centre Sonny Parker cut inside in the 22 to leave the defence helpless for a try that Davey converted.

Ponty increased their lead with a gem of a try after 54 minutes.

Parker, with a fine hand-off on the wing, cut inside to feed John Colderley who crossed under the post, and Davey again converted.

Neath quickly responded, cutting the gap with a second touch down from Hogan that Shane Williams converted.

In the last quarter Neath cut the deficit to two points with a try from James Storey which was converted by Hogan.

In the third minute of injury time Miller dropped a goal to give Neath the verdict.

Pontypridd: Tries: Colderley, Parker, Wyatt. Cons: Davey 3.

Neath: Tries: Storey, Horgan 2. Cons: S. Williams, Horgan. Drop Goal: Miller.

Att: 4,000

Teams -

Pontypridd: D Davey; J Colderley, S Parker, J Lewis, G Wyatt; S Sweeney, P John (capt); G Jenkins, F Vunipola, S Cronk, W James, R Sidoli, R Parks, M Owen, R Feild.
Replacements: R Neville, L Woodard, C Williams, J Evans, M Lloyd, C Loader, Graham.

Neath: G Morris; D Tiueti, J Stroey, T Davies, S Williams; P Horgan, M Davies; D Jones, M Davies, A Millward, Jackson, G Llewellyn (capt), R Francis, B Sinkinson, R Phillips.
Replacements: K James, P Jones, G Miller, N Bonner Evans, S Martin, A Howell, S Jones, G Miller.

Referee: Nigel Whitehouse (Wales)