Connacht kept their BKT URC play-off hopes alive with a brilliant bonus-point win over Munster at a sold-out Dexcom Stadium.
Results elsewhere meant they couldn't break into the top eight but the five points keeps them within striking distance of Ulster, Cardiff, Munster and the Lions ahead of next weekend's final round.
Stuart Lancaster's side moved to 49 points ahead of their final match at Edinburgh and will now hope to take advantage if any of those teams slip up.
In round 18, Ulster host leaders Glasgow, while Cardiff are at home to second-place Stormers; Munster, in sixth, welcome the Lions to Thomond Park.
While eighth place is good enough for the play-offs, if Ulster finish in ninth and win the Challenge Cup, then eighth place won't bring with it Champions Cup qualification.
Munster, who had won their last two games, played for 20 minutes with 14 players and were missing a number of frontline regulars but head coach Clayton McMillan will still have expected a better showing as they attempted to secure their play-off and Champions Cup place.
Connacht's Ben Murphy, Shayne Bolton and Shamus Hurley-Langton scored first-half tries, with Craig Casey getting the visitors' only try of the game in the second half.
The hosts had the final say, man of the match Sean Jansen crossing for what could be a crucial bonus-point try, while Sam Gilbert added three conversions.
Connacht shaded the opening exchanges, drawing three penalties inside the Munster half, but they were twice held up over the line when a bit more patience would have paid off.
But Billy Bohan and Bundee Aki were carrying to good effect and the hosts were playing a penalty advantage when scrum-half Ben Murphy (above) spotted a gap at a ruck on the 22 and raced through unopposed for the opening try in the 13th minute, converted by Sam Gilbert.
Seven minutes later, Munster were reduced to 14 for 20 minutes when hooker Diarmuid Barron was penalised for a dangerous clear-out on opposite Dylan Tierney-Martin, who was forced off with a leg injury. Barron went to the bin and the foul play review officer upgraded the colour to red.
The Connacht pack were providing quick ball for Murphy and Josh Ioane and fast hands from Gilbert set Bolton free on the left wing to run in for a second and give the hosts a deserved 12-0 lead after 20 minutes.
Munster made a brief foray into the opposition half but they couldn't secure the lineout ball with flanker John Hodnett and then prop Jeremy Loughman on throwing duties.
On top in attack, Connacht then came up with a big defensive set with Andrew Smith knocking on on the 22.
Nothing was going right for Munster. When they won a defensive penalty, captain Casey tapped quickly and then kicked the ball dead to hand the initiative back to Connacht.
Another attempt to run from their 22 ended up with a breakdown infringement and Connacht kicked to the corner to set up a third try six minutes before the break.
Eoin de Buitléar found Cian Prendergast and Hurley-Langton was on hand to touch down against a Munster pack that put up no more than a cursory attempt to defend the lineout maul.
Munster tried to get something going but more handling errors let them down and the pushing and shoving that followed the half-time whistle couldn't make up for the lack of intent they displayed in a thoroughly insipid 40 minutes.
The referee was informed of a fracas in the tunnel at half-time, instigated by Gilbert, so the second period began with a Munster penalty and from there they were able to put a number of phases together before Alex Kendellen burrowed for the line.
They thought they had a score but the TMO spotted the ball going forward with Josh Murphy's intervention crucial.
Harry West led a breakout from the five-metre scrum, making 60 yards before a breakdown penalty halted the attack but Munster couldn't take advantage after winning two more penalties with Loughman putting down a simple pass on the 22.
The Westerners, who had lost their previous four games against Munster, were on top at the breakdown as the visitors became increasingly disinterested.
The game, played in a swirling wind, became even more scrappy with both teams guilty of giving away possession and Munster enjoyed their best attack with just over 10 minutes to play, winning three penalties inside the 22 before Craig Casey sniped his way over with JJ Hanrahan adding the extras.
But Connacht hit back with their best attack of the half, Jansen powering his way over from close range after Bolton had been stopped just short.
A massive cheer from the majority of the 12,481 in attendance preceded Gilbert's conversion before the Fields of Athenry rang out across the Galway stadium.
Connacht's season is not over yet.
Connacht: Sam Gilbert; Shane Jennings, Harry West, Bundee Aki, Shayne Bolton; Josh Ioane, Ben Murphy; Billy Bohan, Dylan Tierney-Martin, Sam Illo; Darragh Murray, Josh Murphy; Cian Prendergast (capt), Shamus Hurley-Langton, Sean Jansen.
Replacements: Eoin de Buitléar (Tierney-Martin 22), Peter Dooley (Bohan 50), Finlay Bealham (Illo 50), Joe Joyce (Josh Murphy 55), Paul Boyle (Hurley-Langton 62), Matthew Devine (Ben Murphy 69), Jack Carty (Ioane 69), Seán Naughton (West 54).
Munster: Mike Haley; Thaakir Abrahams, Alex Nankivell, Dan Kelly, Andrew Smith; JJ Hanrahan, Craig Casey (capt); Jeremy Loughman, Diarmuid Barron, Michael Ala'alatoa; Edwin Edogbo, Fineen Wycherley; Tom Ahern, John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes.
Replacements: Lee Barron (Hodnett 25-36), Josh Wycherley (Loughman 54), Conor Bartley (Ala'alatoa 70), Jack O'Donoghue (Edogbo h/t), Brian Gleeson (Coombes 49), Ben O'Donovan (Casey 73), Seán O’Brien (Abrahams 54), Alex Kendellen (36 red card replacement).
Referee: Peter Martin (IRFU)
