Ulster's unbeaten start to the Pro14 season surprisingly came to an end on Saturday afternoon. Jono Gibbes' side fell 27-23 to Zebre in Italy.
It was a second half comeback from the Italian side which put Ulster to the sword. Ulster led 13-6 at the break. Perhaps not the advantage they would have hoped for but a decent lead nonetheless.
Eight minutes into the second half, a Giovanni Licata try converted by Carlo Canna got the Italians level. They would take a 20-13 lead just five minutes later with another converted try, this time from Mattia Bellini.
The nail in Ulster's coffin came seven minutes from full-time when number eight Renato Giammarioli intercepted a Christian Leali'ifano pass on the 22 to give his team a healthy 27-16 lead.
Darren Cave got a late try for Ulster which he converted with an urgent drop kick. There was still time for the restart but Zebre would hold out for the win.
On BBC Northern Ireland's coverage of the game, it was described as Ulster's 'worst performance in recent seasons'. Cutting back to studio, there was not even time for Stephen Ferris and Andy Ward to dissect the result. It's a pity, Ferris looked angry and ready to unleash.
It's Zebre second consecutive win. Last week, they beat the Southern Kings in Port Elizabeth.
