The Ospreys suffered defeat in Italy against Zebre Parma at Stadio Sergio Llanfranchi after a flat performance in round three saw Mark Jones’ side lose 23-19 in the EPCR Challenge Cup.
However, the losing bonus point was enough to ensure the Ospreys secured a spot in the knockout stages of the competition.
After a strong festive period, the Ospreys arrived in Parma with two bonus point wins already safely tucked away but a below par first half saw the Ospreys trail 13-0 at the break.
Second half tries from Morgan Morse, Keiran Williams and Dan Edwards hauled the visiting side back into the game, but a try from Zebre’s Samuele Locatelli ensured the home team claimed the honours.
The Ospreys held a perfect record after the opening two rounds of the Challenge Cup but they struggled to get to grips with both the opposition and the referee in the first half.
Two penalties from fly-half Giacomo da Re either side of a scrappy try by scrum-half Alessandro Fusco gave Zebre a 13-0 lead at the break.
The Ospreys finally woke from their slumber in the second half with back rows Morgan Morse and Harry Deaves taking on the challenge as the visitors overturned the halftime deficit to lead 14-13 but a penalty from da Re put his side back in front.
Edwards then regained the lead for the Ospreys when the fly half had a walk-in after scrum half Reuben Morgan-Williams sent him clear.
The home side refused to buckle and hit back almost immediately after receiving a penalty. They kicked deep inside the Ospreys 22, and worked Samuele Locatelli over. De Rua’s conversion sealed the win for the home side.
The defeat now leaves them four points behind group leaders Montpellier – with the two sides facing each other next weekend.