Accurate kicking by Montferrand fly-half Gerald Merceron ensured Swansea finished on the bottom of Heineken Cup Pool Four.

With both clubs already out of contention for a quarter-final spot there was little to play for but pride.

And with Wales possibly entering four provinces into the Heineken Cup next season, this looked like being Swansea's final European encounter.

Their last taste of Heineken did not start well with Montferrand scoring two tries in the first nine minutes through wing Jimmy Marlu and centre Johnny Ngauamo.

Match details

Swansea (9) 19 Tries: Winn Cons: A Thomas Pens: A. Thomas (4) Montferrand (12) 24 Tries: J Marlu, Ngauamo Cons: Merceron Pens: Merceron (4) Att: 2,500

As the Frenchman opened up a 12-0 lead, Swansea's early tackling suggested Montferrand were in for an easy victory.

But Swansea clawed their way back through the boot of Arwel Thomas who put over three penalties before half-time.

Two minutes after the interval Thomas converted a fourth penalty goal to level the scores.

But Montferrand restored their lead as Merceron put over four unanswered penalties and the visitors led 24-12 with 10 minutes left.

However, the match was far from over as a contest as Swansea scrambled a try through centre Steve Winn four minutes from time and the conversion from Thomas left the home side just five points adrift.

With time running out Swansea did their best to snatch victory in the dying minutes and wing Shaun Payne was stopped just metres short of the line in injury-time.

But Montferrand held on and just about for a deserved the victory.

Swansea: K Morgan; R Rees, M Taylor, S Winn, S Payne; A Thomas, S Cordingley; D Morris (capt), C Balshen, B Evans, J Slade, J Thomas, R Jenkins, C Charvis, J Bater.
Reps: C Wells, D Dorsey, A Farley, R Francis, R Jones, J Griffiths, G Swales.

Montferrand: S Viars; A Rougerie, J Ngauamo, R Chanal, J Marlu; G Merceron, G Sudre; S Bozzi, R Cockerill, L Tsabadze, E Lecomte, O Brouzet, A Audebert, J Fleurus, M Raynaud.
Reps: A Tolofua, J-J Taofifenua, L Vaitanaki, O Magne, J Moreau, X Sadourny, D Bory.

Ref: Gregg Davies (Scotland).