The Scarlets went close but ultimately fell short in a 24-19 loss in Edinburgh
Joe Roberts’ try double wasn’t enough for the Scarlets as they fell to a 24-19 defeat away to Edinbrugh.
Two tries from Roberts, as well as a score from Sam Lousi, gave them hope of a crucial victory in Scotland to drag them up the United Rugby Championship table.
However, the home side rallied to take the spoils, although the west Walians did come away with a losing bonus point.
Tom Rogers, looking to force his way into Wales contention, looked lively early on.
Having scored a hat-trick against New Zealand last November, Rogers hasn’t featured for Wales in this year’s Six Nations – but he looked busy in the opening exchanges.
One break from one 22 to another handed the Scarlets’ prime attacking position – but Carwyn Leggatt-Jones’ kick-pass was just cut out by a covering defender.
While that came to nothing, the Scarlets soon found themselves ahead in relatively simple fashion.
From a free-kick near halfway, one pass out from Leggatt-Jones found Wales centre Roberts – who stepped through to score from distance.
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The Scarlets doubled their advantage shortly afterwards, with Lousi scoring out wide.
Edinburgh scrum-half Ben Vellacott reduced the deficit on the half-hour mark.
No. 8 Magnus Bradbury shook off some tacklers to level the scores after the break, before Vellacott grabbed his second.
After full-back Harry Paterson was sin-binned for a deliberate knock-on, the Scarlets would level the scores shortly after.
Some patient build-up in the 22 created space for Roberts to cross for his second out wide.
However, once Paterson was back on the pitch, he would turn match-winner – charging down Leggatt-Jones’ kick to score 12 minutes from time.
Try as they might, the Scarlets were unable to find a fourth try of their own to earn a result.
Instead, Nigel Davies’ team were left to settle for a losing bonus point on the road.