Connacht head coach Andy Friend was left angered by the officials, after his side's narrow United Rugby Championship defeat to neighbours Munster.

The western province were beaten for the third time in four games, going down 20-18 to Johann van Graan's side at Thomond Park after Joey Carbery converted Diarmuid Barron's 79th minute try.

Munster had led the game 7-6 at half time following a Chris Cloete try, which Friend says never should have been given.

Cloete touched down after an excellent piece of footwork from Tadhg Beirne, however replays showed the second row had been ahead of Rory Scannell after the centre's crossfield kick.

Friend says very little time was afforded to checking the incident by the match officials, in contrast to an earlier Connacht score which had been correctly disallowed.

"It hurts, it hurts to lose a game like that," he said.

"I thought we were the better team, the scoreboard does not tell you that, we ask for consistency in this game, I didn't think we got it.

"For Tiernan’s (O'Halloran) try, it is a knock-on, the correct decision was made then, the ball went forward, that was fair enough, it did go forward. But there was a lot of time spent to get that decision. I thought the yellow card for Sammy Arnold was a very harsh call.

"I then thought, in fact I know, when Joey Carbery (it was Rory Scannell) puts the crossfield kick in that you have got Tadhg Beirne offside.

"It doesn’t get looked at. It doesn’t get pored over in the same manner."

And while Connacht retook the lead on 70 minutes before Munster's comeback, Friend says it was a crucial swing in the game.

"So they end up getting seven points for that. And at the end of the day they win by two points. So I am frustrated and annoyed by that."

The Australian was tightlipped when asked if there is a pattern of his side coming out the wrong side of the officials.

"I will let others decide. We very rarely end up on the right side. If it is a 50/50, it very rarely goes our side. It is hard," he added.

Meanwhile Munster head coach Johann van Graan said he had not watched the controversial try back.

"This game is about small margins and, like every weekend, both sides have certain calls that go for them and against them.

"We will go and review the game as normal on Monday and see if we have any issues."