Morrison scored Glasgow's solitary try against Ulster

Glasgow (3) 25
Try: Morrison. Con: Parks. Pens: Parks 2. Drop goals: Parks 4.
Ulster (5) 18
Tries: Marshall, Smith. Con: Humphreys. Pens: Humphreys 2.

Dan Parks scored four drop-goals as Glasgow Warriors defeated Ulster to boost their chances of a Magners League play-off spot.

Paul Marshall gave Ulster the lead with a breakaway try after three minutes and the visitors held a 5-3 half-time lead.

The boot of Parks was matched by Ian Humphreys as Ulster led 11-6.

But a Graeme Morrison try and three more drop goals from Parks helped send Ulster to their fourth straight defeat despite a late Jamie Smith try.

The visitors, who had won on their last three visits to Firhill, were desperate for a victory as they are in danger of being beaten by Connacht to Ireland's third Heineken Cup qualification place.

Morrison and Parks provided the points for Warriors at Firhill

Glasgow coach Sean Lineen had given his players a week off ahead of Ulster's visit and they appeared to have their minds still on a sun-kissed beach when they went behind after just three minutes.

Warriors had a ruck inside the Ulster 22, but visiting scrum-half Marshall stole the ball and kicked it on three times before crossing the line for a try.

Humphreys missed the conversion attempt, but from then on Glasgow struggled to breach Ulster's blitz defence.

They did manage to reduce the arrears after 13 minutes when Parks slotted over a penalty after the visitors were caught offside following a break by Max Evans.

Welsh referee Tim Hayes had been unable to make the game because of the cancellation of flights following the Icelandic volcanic eruption.

He was replaced with Scottish official Peter Allan, who appeared reluctant to penalise an Ulster side who were continually standing offside.

Even when Glasgow did win a penalty, Parks' 35-metre effort was blown wide by the wind and the first-half closed with the visitors holding a narrow and deserved lead.

The first half had ended with Warriors on the back foot, but whatever coach Lineen said at half time appeared to have the desired effect.

And Parks put them a point in front with a drop goal after five minutes of sustained pressure after the break.

Ulster responded and Humphreys put them back ahead with two penalties.

A long kick by Parks, after Ulster were penalised for not rolling away in the ruck, brought Glasgow to within two points.

Then the Scotland fly-half's second drop goal of the match put Warriors ahead.

The introduction of Scotland scrum-half Chris Cusiter had coincided with Glasgow mounting increasing pressure and, following a great break by Johnnie Beattie, Morrison went over for the try.

Parks' superb long conversion gave the home side the breathing space they were seeking.

Humphreys missed with a penalty and Parks made him pay for that with his third and fourth drop-goals.

Smith made the Glasgow line after taking advantage of a couple of missed tackles while both Ruaridh Jackson and DTH van der Merwe were down injured.

With Parks having been substituted, it was left for number eight Beattie to attempt a late penalty and, although he missed, Glasgow held on for victory.

Glasgow Warriors captain Al Kellock:
"We were fairly poor in the first half, but we came out in the second half and there was a real fear of losing.

"We will not get away with being as poor in our remaining games."

Ulster coach Brian McLaughlin:
"Obviously we are disappointed with the result, but we're pleased to have got something out of the game.

"The bonus point could prove very important for us.

"We have not really kicked on since we won at the Recreation Ground against Bath in the Heineken Cup.

"So we have to get our head round the next two games.

Glasgow: Stortoni, Shaw, M. Evans, Morrison, van der Merwe, Parks, McMillan, Tkachuk, Thomson, Low, Barker, Kellock, Brown, Barclay, Beattie, Jackson.
Replacements: Jackson for Parks (73), Cusiter for McMillan (50), Hall for Thomson (50), Turner for Barker (52), Forrester for Barclay (70), O'Hare for Jackson (77). Not Used: Kalman.

Ulster: Danielli, Trimble, Cave, I. Whitten, Spence, Humphreys, P. Marshall, Court, Kyriacou, D. Fitzpatrick, O'Donoghue, Caldwell, Pollock, Henry, Diack.
Replacements: Smith for Spence (70), Boss for P. Marshall (65), Brady for Kyriacou (48), Botha for D. Fitzpatrick (48), Tuohy for O'Donoghue (16), Anderson for Diack (36). Not Used: O'Connor.

Ref: P Allan (SRU)

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