Edinburgh scored two early tries to overpower Ulster in front of a crowd of 3, 393 at Murrayfield, but an off-key second half showing prevented Andy Robinson's side from registering a bonus point win.

Bursting out of the blocks with genuine intent, it took Edinburgh just two minutes to put some points on the scoreboard courtesy of a Phil Godman penalty.

With Ulster's back-three looking decidedly fragile, Edinburgh cranked up the pressure and an enterprising move was finished off by Hugo Southwell on six minutes.

Surging forward, Allister Hogg found Southwell on his shoulder and the full-back scored his third try in four games; a prolific tries-to-games ratio.

Edinburgh's second try was another breakaway move and debutant Roddy Grant almost scored before Jim Hamilton managed to power over the whitewash from close range.

At that point, Edinburgh were at their imperious best and their expansive brand of 'keep the ball alive' rugby had Ulster on the back-foot.

But four penalties from Ulster stand-off Ian Humphreys killed any momentum Edinburgh had built up and in the end the home side clung on to secure a nervy win to move to fourth spot in the Magners League. 

Nevertheless several positives emerged from the game including a gutsy comeback performance from club captain Simon Cross who produced a 'body-on-the-line' display at blindside.

His efforts were complemented on the other side of the back-row by new boy Roddy Grant who produced possibly the most assured display by an Edinburgh debutant. That was his first-ever Magners League start and the future bodes well for the red-haired flanker.

Edinburgh: Hugo Southwell; Andrew Turnbull, Ben Cairns, John Houston, Simon Webster, Phil Godman, Mike Blair (captain); Allan Jacobsen, Ross Ford, Geoff Cross, Craig Hamilton, Jim Hamilton, Simon Cross, Roddy Grant, Allister Hogg.

Replacements: Andrew Kelly (for Ford), Gavin Kerr (for G. Cross), Ben Gissing (for J. Hamilton), Scott Newlands (for Hogg), Greig Laidlaw, David Blair (for Godman), Nick De Luca (for Cairns).

Ulster: Clinton Schifcofske; Mark McCrea, Darren Cave, Paddy Wallace, Andrew Trimble, Ian Humphreys, Isaac Boss; Tom Court, Rory Best (captain), BJ Botha, Ed O'Donoghue, Matt McCullough, Stephen Ferris, David Pollock, Rob Diack

Replacements: Nigel Brady, Justin Fitpzatrick, Filo Paulo, Kieron Dawson, Paul Marshall, Paul Steinmetz, Bryn Cunningham

Referee: GWYN MORRIS (WRU); TJ1 IAIN HEARD; TJ2 DAVID ANDERSON; Fourth official ANDREW McMENEMY; Fifth official CHARLES SAMSON TMO IAIN RAMAGE