CONNACHT paid the full price for a shocking performance when they were stunned by Italian part-timers Cavalieri Prato in the Amlin Challenge Cup at Stadio Lungobisenzio.

Connacht's opening half performance was lethargic, yet they led 13-3 at the break. Last year's semi-finalists seemed to be coasting to victory when they opened up an 18-3 lead, despite not playing well, four minutes after the restart. But they sat back and did not close out the game and got hit with a late sucker-punch two minutes from time

Connacht replacement scrum-half Frank Murphy saw his pass intercepted by Wouter Moore and the big lock forward raced in from 40 metres to touch down under the posts to level the match.

Then full-back Rima Wakarua put them in front for the first time with the conversion in front of the posts. Connacht had the chance to salvage the game but Ian Keatley's drop goal came back off the right post.

Cavalieri Prato R Wakarua, N Tempestini, D Majstorovic, W Mafi, F Vezzosi, A Chiesa, P Patelli, L Poloni, L Giovanchelli, G Bocca, L Beccaris, W Moore, L Petillo, F Cristiano, N Soqueta Subs D Stefani for Bocca, 47 mins; A Pratt-Lewis for Rodwell, 59 misn; G Marino for Poloni, 68 mins; N Belardo for Soqueta, 68 mins Scorers Tempestini, Moore, tries; Wakarua 2 cons, 3 pens

Connacht T Nathan; D Fanning, N Ta'auso, M Nikora, F Carr; I Keatley, C Willis; B Wilkinson, A Flavin, R Sweeney; M Swift, B Upton; A Browne, J O'Connor, J Muldoon Subs B Fa'amausili for Sweeney, 40 mins; R Loughney for Wilkinson, 40 mins; M McCarthy for Muldoon, 47 mins; D Murphy for Flavin, 51 mins; F Murphy for Willis, 59 mins; M McComish for Browne, 67 mins Scorers Keatley, try, con, 3 pens; Upton, try

Referee M Raynal (France)