Connacht rustled up four tries away from home but fell short in a high-scoring encounter against Leicester Tigers at Welford Road, exiting the Challenge Cup at the last-16 stage.
Trailing 24-8 at one point in the first half, Connacht brought it back to a two-point game with eight minutes remaining before a timely late surge from the hosts allowed them ease to victory.
Scrum half Kieran Marmion raced over for the opening try to give the westerners an early lead but Leicester responded quickly, bagging two tries in three minutes between the 11th and 14th minute, Charlie Clare and Zach Henry scoring to give the Premiership side a 12-5 lead.
While Carty clipped over a penalty and Clare was subsequently binned, the Leicester scoring streak continued. Even down to 14, they notched two more tries, Mattias Moroni and Henry running over in the 27th and 33rd minute respectively.
Carty struck a late penalty to leave the score at 24-11 at the break.
Connacht came roaring into the contest in the second half, Eoghan Masterson and Alex Wootton scoring to leave it at 27-25.
Hooker Clare, who enjoyed an eventful afternoon, bagged a try to give the Tigers breathing space but on 71 minutes, Paul Boyle nipped through a gap at a ruck to score, Carty converting to make it a two-point match as the endgame approached.
This was as good as it got for Connacht, however. Harry Wells grounded to make it more than a one-score game and Jasper Weise grabbed the 11th and final try of a frenetic game on 78 minutes.
