A stupendous Ulster victory after a performance bursting with intensity, intelligence and ruthlessness.

Second place in Conference B is now theirs.

Edinburgh are really up against it. They're a point behind Benetton in fourth, but Benetton's last game is against struggling Zebre, while Edinburgh have to go and win at Glasgow, who are themselves desperately chasing top spot in Conference A.

Even a bonus-point win at Scotstoun wouldn't guarantee Edinburgh finish third.

To make matters worse, Scarlets are six points behind them in fifth, and play the two basement-dwelling conference teams in their final two matches, Zebre and Dragons. You wouldn't bet against them taking 10 points from those two, and that could even nudge Edinburgh out of the fourth place spot that gives them a play-off opportunity to make the Champions Cup.

It's been a chastening old night for Cockerill's men. We'll have reaction from the head coach online later tonight, and we'll be back with another live text extravaganza for Glasgow's visit to all-conquering Leinster tomorrow.

For now, that's all from these pages. Thanks for your company and enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Peter Wright
Former Scotland prop on BBC Radio Scotland

Ulster are into the Pro14 play-offs! A fantastic performance tonight and a fitting climax for Dan McFarland's excellent debut season as head coach. They are guaranteed second place in Conference B.

Edinburgh must beat Glasgow at Scotstoun next week and hope Benetton lose to their whipping-boy Italian rivals Zebre. Benetton slipping up is pretty unlikely, so it looks like Richard Cockerill's men will miss out on the play-offs.

Image source, SNS

Edinburgh try to shift the ball and get the deadly Darcy Graham motoring out wide.

But the full-back is brilliantly cut down by Luke Marshall, who flies in like an exocet missile, read the play, and drives Graham into the turf.

Peter Wright
Former Scotland prop on BBC Radio Scotland

Edinburgh win a penalty on their own 22 and Hickey takes play up to halfway. They're looking pretty tired and very short of ideas. This Ulster defence has flummoxed and overpowered them.

That was bonkers.

Billy Burns' kick bounces inside the Edinburgh 22 rather wickedly, Rob Lyttle hacks it on, and Darcy Graham gets back in the nick of time to dot the ball down.

My goodness, Edinburgh's scrum gets utterly pulverised. You very seldom see that, but it shows just how formidable this Ulster pack is.

Somehow, Charlie Shiel gets away with the ball but Edinburgh are still on their own 22.

Eventually, Shiel relents and box kicks. Stockdale spills but it goes backwards and it's Ulster ball once more.

Nine minutes to go. The province are so very nearly into the play-offs.

Colin Gregor
Former Scotland Sevens captain on BBC Radio Scotland

Bill Mata just about decapitates Angus Kernohan on the right flank and Ulster have a penalty advantage.

Rob Lyttle wreaks utter havoc, fizzing into the midfield and strutting into the 22.

He's got two men on his outside but they've overran him slightly, and the pass goes forward.

Advantage for the high tackle was over, so Edinburgh have a scrum deep in their own territory.

Amidst that maelstrom, Ross Ford is on for what is almost certainly going to be his last home appearance as an Edinburgh player.

Goodness me, this is hideously sloppy from Edinburgh.

This time, it's Matt Scott who flaps at a pass from Shiel and spills on the Ulster 10m line.

The visitors are exactly where they need to be.

Richard Cockerill will be absolutely livid. Edinburgh's set-piece, normally so reliable, falters as Ben Toolis knocks the line-out on under pressure from Henderson.

It's a really good leap and spoil from Henderson but it's utterly maddening for the home side.

Off goes Henry Pyrgos with young Charlie Shiel replacing him.

Edinburgh are trying to punch through Ulster with their heavy artillery but Ulster are standing firm and Pyrgos box kicks the ball into the grateful arms of Jacob Stockdale.

It's been the story of the night for the home side.

Once again, John Barclay makes a telling intervention, winning a turnover penalty on halfway by firing over the ball.

That looked a wee bit fortuitous, frankly. Mark Bennett stepped in with a shoulder to stop John Cooney getting to the ball and making a clear-out attempt on Barclay.

The officials say there was no foul play after a quick look at the footage and Hickey punts Edinburgh a yard inside Ulster's 22.

They need another score and they need one now.

Benetton have been beaten by Munster and haven't taken a losing bonus point. They stay on 52 points, one better than Edinburgh, in second place.

Barring a miraculous comeback tonight, Edinburgh will have to beat Glasgow next week and pray Benetton slip up against their lowly rivals Zebre.

This is a complete horror-show of a game for Edinburgh. This time, Henry Pyrgos makes a big unforced error, lashing his box kick out on the full between the home 10m line and 22.

Lovely attacking platform for Ulster, who just about gather the line-out.

Richard Cockerill is sending for cavalry. The in-form Simon Berghan replaces WP Nel at tight-head prop and the former Scotland captain John Barclay is on for Magnus Bradbury, who has had a fairly quiet game with ball in hand.

There's yet more frustration in home ranks as Grant Gilchrist forces a wayward off-load and Darcy Graham tips it forward as he tries to pick it off the deck.

Peter Wright
Former Scotland prop on BBC Radio Scotland