Fit-again Rob Dewey could not inspire Edinburgh to victory

Edinburgh 0 (7)
Try: Rennie
Con: Hodge

Agen 14 (19)
Tries: Elhorga, Faaletino, Caucaunibuca
Cons: Faaletino, Elhorga

Edinburgh suffered more Heineken Cup misery as their campaign ended in defeat to Agen at muddy Murrayfield.

The French visitors thoroughly deserved their win, controlling the game from the moment full-back Pepito Elhorga touched down to open the scoring.

Morrisson Faaletino added another try and it was not until the 70th minute before Alasdair Strokosch replied for the home side, Duncan Hodge converting.

But Rupeni Caucaunibuca's try made sure Agen finish second in their group.

Edinburgh had gone into their final pool match looking for a morale-boosting win to carry into the closing stages of the Magners League season.

But, despite a late flurry, they were always second-best.

The visitors produced some typical French flair to open the scoring with a well-worked try inside 13 minutes.

They won possession from a lineout and switched the ball along the back row for Elhorga to cut in from the left flank and touch down near the posts.

Faaletino added the conversion before suffering a bitter-sweet moment as Agen doubled their lead.

The stand-off left several Edinburgh players in his wake as he surged through for a brilliant score.

However, Faaletino was injured in the process and was helped off before Elhorga slotted the conversion.

Edinburgh finally came alive on the stroke of half-time when Marcus di Rollo was just beaten to the touchdown following a crafty kick ahead by John Senio.

Agen were temporarily reduced to 14 men when Peio Som was sinbinned for a deliberate offside.

But Edinburgh were unable to cash in and still struggled to break down a feisty French outfit on the restart.

The 1,789 Murrayfield crowd almost had something to celebrate when the home forwards gathered a lineout and drove over, but Scott Murray was unable to ground the ball.

Edinburgh eventually broke their points duck in 70 minutes when substitute Ross Rennie was credited with the try after another drive by the home forwards.

Duncan Hodge converted to raise home hopes of a late revival.

But winger Caucaunibuca sealed it for Agen with a stoppage-time try.

"Although our form improved in the second half the game was pretty well won and lost by then.

"It was a poor game and we can have no complaints about the outcome."

Edinburgh: Southwell; Paterson, Di Rollo, Dewey, Cairns; Godman, Senio; Jacobsen, Lawrie, Dickinson, Pringle, Murray, Strokosch, MacDonald, Callam.
Replacements: Easson for Paterson (44), Hodge for Godman (52), Kelly for Lawrie (62), Brown for Dickinson (73), Turnbull for Pringle (49), Rennie for MacDonald (55).
Not Used: Jorgensen.

Agen: Elhorga; Vainqueur, Ahotaeiloa, Mignardi, Caucaunibuca; Faaletino, Morlaes; Popescu, Tiatia, Galasso, Stolz, Koulemine, Monribot, Som, Fonua.
Replacements: Lafforgue for Vainqueur (54), Tesquet for Faaletino (23), Fulton for Morlaes (55), L Cabarry for Popescu (54), Guinazu for Tiatia (69), Lievremont for Monribot (75).
Not Used: Badenhorst.

Sin Bin: Som (37)

Att: 1,789

Ref: Chris White (RFU)