There was late heartbreak for Jack Crowley and Munster after they had to settle for a losing bonus-point away to Castres in the Champions Cup.
The Reds were brought back to earth in Europe after an opening win against Stade Francais last weekend, on a night where they struggled to put positive play together.
Munster made an ill-disciplined start and Castres were awarded a try, later overturned by a TMO review with Remy Baget failing to ground the ball.
Brian Gleeson, on European debut, disrupted a dangerous Castres lineout to give his side a brief reprieve, Stephen Archer's high tackle giving the hosts a platform for an opening try.
Dave Kilcoyne would then make his first appearance of the calendar year, coming in for loosehead prop Dian Bleuler after he was left worse for wear following a head knock.
In truth, it appeared a clumsy tackle attempt from Bleuler, who was on his knees as he attempted to take out the opposition and caught a knee to his head.
Munster conceded another try priot to the 30 minute mark, before Craig Casey was also removed with an apparent knee injury.
Gleeson then found himself on the receiving end of a shoulder to the face from Quentin Walcker, however mitigating circumstances - Gleeson's late drop in height - resulted in a yellow card for the Castres man.
They used the numbers advantage, John Hodnett crossing over after his trademark acceleration bought him space in attack.
Castres did add three more points from the tee, and should have had three more but shanked their effort to inadvertendtly keep Munster in the game.
Munster and Hodnett's second try came off the back of chaos, the openside flanker against showing his sharpness to snipe across the whitewash after some chatotic phase play.
Their 14-13 lead would last mere minutes, as Castres restored a two-point cushion from the tee and they would hold out for that win.
Zebo claims Jack Crowley will be disappointed after Munster error vs Castres
Munster did have a last-gasp opportunity, but Crowley's kick for touch fell short when intercepted by Geoffrey Palis and ended any hopes of stealing victory in France.
The out-half had the option to kick for the posts and the victory, however he and his teammates instead opted for the corner due to the long-range nature of the potential kick.
Crowley kicked for the corner but his effort did not have the legs and Castres consequently claimed the win.
It was a sobering moment for Crowley, who came up clutch 10 minutes prior to put his side ahead with a conversion, on what was a difficult night for the Ireland international.
He found himself replaced by Sam Prendergast in the Irish XV in the recent Autumn internationals and is in a battle to reclaim his shirt ahead of the 2025 Six Nations.
His error has put him under pressure with former teammate Simon Zebo sympathising with him but admitting he will be ruing his mishap.
Both Zebo and Andy Goode - a former fly-half - were on punditry duty for Premier Sports where they dissected the moment Crowley came up short.
SZ: It was world class on the edge to keep the ball in play and snuff out that Munster effort.
I'd have been interested to hear the conversation that went on (before the kick). It was probably just outside Jack's range.
Then you're trying to max out every inch of the kick to touch. I thought it was a good kick but a better defensive effort.
I think Jack personally will be disappointed in that he would've loved the chance to hit a drop goal for the win - as he did before famously against Leinster.
AG: Sometimes you back your kickers to go for as big a kick as possible. Discussions were 'did anyone have the legs to go for the three points' - the obvious answer was no.
We saw Crowley left one short in the first-half, the wind could've been a factor.
The bottom line is it is easy to be sat here. I've done that 100 times - missed touch - even to the point your own fans are ironically cheering you when you do make it.
It is pressure and he will look back and be frustrated.
He actually stole about five or six yards but maybe that made him get too greedy.
SZ: Rory Scannell was hovering around, he has a big boot too. Potentially is Conor Murray is on the pitch there is no question and he goes for goal but it was not to be and they still got the losing bonus-point.
Munster and Crowley will need to dust themselves off for a busy period of rugby which begins with a trip away to Ulster.
That interprovincial clash comes next Friday night, with Munster hoping that Peter O'Mahony, Craig Casey and Thaakir Abrahams will be fit after all leaving the field through injury in France.
