Yann Delaigue scored 22 points for Toulouse

Hopes that Harry Williams' side could repeat their heroic 1999 cup-winning exploits lay in ruins.

Ulster's final two games are in January - away to Cardiff and at home to Saracens - and to be realistic Ulster are now playing for pride alone. Ulster skipper David Humphreys had no excuses afterwards.

"We were very poor," he said. "It must be one of our worst performances of the season.

"I don't know what went wrong - we never got started.

Tense game

"But we have two games left and we must give our best shot."

Ulster are now bottom of Pool Three.

Andy Ward got Ulster's only try in a tense game which saw the point-scoring dominated by Ulster skipper David Humphreys and Toulouse flyhalf Yann Delaigue.

David Humphreys was in fine kicking form

Both number 10s enjoyed a 100 per cent record with place kicks.

Toulouse had gone in front with a third minute Delaigue penalty.

But within a minute, Ulster were in front through an intercept try from Ireland international Ward.

The Kiwi-born Ward, who plays his club rugby with Ballynahinch, picked the ball up on the bounce on the Toulouse 10-metre line and there was simply no catching the 30-year-old flanker. Humphreys added the simple conversion.

Delaigue and Humphreys twice exchanged penalties to leave Ulster 13-9 up as the half-time whistle sounded.

Humphreys landed four penalties from four attempts in the second period with Delaigue adding one for the French club.

Toulouse grabbed themselves a lifeline with a 75th minute converted try as Delaigue was driven over the line by his supporting pack to leave it 25-22 to Ulster.

And then came the match-snatching score two minutes into time added on.