Glasgow jumped to the top of Pool B in the Celtic League with a solid victory in foul conditions at Hughenden.

And the Scots secured a home tie in the quarter-finals after disposing of one of their closest challengers.

Calvin Howarth emerged as Glasgow's main man with a vital try and a series of successful kicks against the Irishmen.

He broke the deadlock with a penalty and added another after former Ireland Test star Eric Elwood was yellow-carded for lying on the wrong wide of a ruck.

The double setback seemed to inspire the province and they bagged a try with their first decent attack.

Prop Dan McFarland plunged over in the corner after being driven over by his pack.

In the absence of Elwood, centre Mark McHugh added the conversion.

Glasgow wasted no time in hitting back, thanks to a clever sequence featuring Andy Henderson.

He broke from half-way before sending a perfectly-timed chip towards the line - full-back Stuart Moffat won the race to the ball.

Howarth was wide with the goal but again made amends on the stroke of the interval with his third penalty.

Glasgow could not have hoped for a brighter start to the second half.

Howarth was back in the spotlight to force his way over for his side's second touchdown - then slotted the extra points from a wide angle.

Even better was to come as Howarth clipped over another penalty to create a 17-point cushion and effectively snuff out the Connacht challenge.

The Irishmen staged a powerful rally but found the home defence in top form.

Warriors returned to the offensive - and Donny MacFadyen hurtled over in the dying seconds for try number three.

Glasgow: S. Moffat, Bartlett, A. Bulloch, Henderson, Metcalfe, Howarth, G. Bulloch, Beveridge, Blades, Harrison, A. Hall, White, Simpson, MacFadyen, Petrie.
Not Used: Thomson, Hilton, Ross, R. McKay, Nicol, Reid, Irving.

Tries: A. Moffat, Howarth, MacFadyen.

Conversion: Howarth.

Penalties: Howarth 4.

Connacht: Connacht: G. Duffy, Norton, Yapp, McHugh, Munn, Elwood, Keane, McFarland, Flannery, Bracken, Waugh, Frost, Rigney, J. O'Connor, O'Sullivan.
Not Used: McCormack, Uijs, Browne, Peters, Walls., Moore, Robinson.

Triy: McFarland.

Conversion: McHugh.

Attendance: 3,250

Referee: Hugh Watkins (Welsh RFU).