Adam D'Arcy's try helped Ulster recover from a sluggish start against Bath

Ulster coach Brian McLaughlin was delighted with the 26-22 away win over Bath in the Heineken Cup on Saturday.

Ulster feel they have a great chance of qualifying for the knock-out stages for the first time since actually winning the European competition back in 1999.

"We had to defend with everything we had in the first half but we still kept the scoreboard ticking over," he said.

"We kept ourselves alive and I thought we came out and played very well in the second half."

McLaughlin added: "We got great confidence from coming here last year and getting our first win on English soil in the European Cup competition.

"So from that point of view we came here with three words, 'nothing to fear' and we said that we would go out and do our damndest to keep this competition in our own hands.

"We didn't play particularly well but we were dogged enough.

"We again gave away a soft try at the start which put us under pressure but we knew this match was going to be hard, we knew it was going to be physical and we knew they would try to move the ball about a bit more than they did last week."

Assistant coach Jeremy Davidson believes the victory is a mark of the province's recent progress.

"Back-to-back wins over Bath show just how much we have come on as a team," said former Ireland forward Davidson.

"We have come from behind on both occasions to keep our hopes alive."

Fly-half Ian Humphreys kicked six from six and fellow backs Adam D'Arcy and Nevin Spence scored tries as Ulster recovered from a 8-0 deficit to win at the Recreation Ground.

Ulster had also fought from behind to win this season's first Pool Four match between the sides a week earlier.

"Bath is a difficult place to come. Back-to-back matches enable the opposition to know what they are coming up against," added Davidson.

"We are getting better and developing. These two wins are what we wanted.

"The players played the right type of game, in the right areas of the pitch, and it eventually paid off.

"We are a young squad but the key leaders on the pitch are taking control.

"To come back in a European Cup game, especially away from home, is a big plus and a huge step forward for Ulster.

"We have to keep improving. The Magners League is still there for us and we have kept our European dream alive."

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