JAMIE DOBIE scored the bonus point fourth try but Glasgow Warriors began their United Rugby Championship campaign in defeat away to Ulster in a cracking contest at Kingspan Stadium.

Glasgow had not been victorious in Belfast since 2013 but despite a fine display, they were unable to carve out victory.

George Horne, Jonny Matthews and Dobie added to a second half penalty try but it still wasn’t enough as Ulster worked hard for their win.

Ulster had been boosted by the recent signing of Springbok World Cup winner Duane Vermeulen but he won’t arrive in Belfast until after the Rugby Championship.

Warriors did have their new Australian No 8 on show and Jack Dempsey was expected to make a big impression but it was his back-row partner, openside Rory Darge, who really left his mark.

Glasgow's hopes of laying down an early marker were dashed when Ulster crossed after just four minutes. It all stemmed from some weak defence in the Ulster half where Stuart McCloskey broke from his own 22. Glasgow conceded a penalty in the process and another when tighthead Simon Berghan dragged down a maul.

Ulster regrouped, and this time Glasgow full-back Cole Forbes deliberately knocked the ball on. He was sent to the sin-bin and referee Ben Whitehouse awarded a penalty try.

Glasgow went through the phases and tried to poke holes around the fringes but they were almost punished after a stray kick when Robert Baloucoune went on the attack.

Glasgow survived again and worked their way upfield before they scored a stunning try in the 15th minute. Sione Tuipulotu powered his way past Baloucoune’s despairing challenge and held off McCloskey too before providing the pass to George Horne who finished in the left corner.

It was a marvellous score for Glasgow and fully deserved after they managed the ten minutes without their full-back, expertly. Weir missed the conversion but Danny Wilson’s side were delighted to only trail 7-5.

But Glasgow put pressure on themselves with some silly errors in their own half and it resulted in John Cooney being taken out off the ball, for a penalty. Billy Burns kicked to the corner and Roberts scored from the rolling maul in the 23rd minute.

Cooney added the extras but Glasgow hit right back and Weir scored a penalty thanks to more heroics from Rory Darge on the ground.

It was 14-8 with 13 minutes remaining in the first half and Kyle Steyn came up with a brilliant intervention to turnover the latest rampaging Ulster maul close to the Glasgow line.

Ross Thompson replaced Weir when he left the field shortly after the half-hour mark and he caused havoc in the Ulster defence with a couple of probing kicks.

He put Glasgow into the corner with a late first half penalty and this time it was Ulster who lacked the discipline allowing their opponents in to score.

Ryan Wilson failed with the first drive when he knocked on but the ball was brought back for another penalty. Hooker Jonny Matthews beat Greg Jones and Marty Moore to touch down.

It was the 43rd minute before Glasgow registered their second try of the first half and Thompson scored an impressive conversion to give his side a 15-14 lead going in at half-time.

But just like they did in the first half Ulster made a fast start in the second and it was tighthead Marty Moore that scored their third try of the evening.

Replacement scrum-half Nathan Doak gave the pass and it was he who assumed the kicking duties with Billy Burns getting attention on the ground. Doak slotted the conversion.

Glasgow were in disarray and Ulster tagged on the bonus point try nine minutes after half-time. Jacob Stockdale’s pass put Nick Timoney through and he scored the crucial fourth try.

Doak was unerring from the kicking tee again and Ulster looked to have sealed the win already with a 28-15 advantage.

But to their credit, Glasgow fought hard and they worked their way into a scoring position again. Stockdale tackled Rufus McClean but the winger almost touched down only to be denied by James Hume.

However the collision was referred to the TMO and Hume was shown yellow while Glasgow were awarded a penalty try. That left just six points between the sides.

Ulster looked to have put the result beyond doubt again when Will Addison blocked down Thompson and set up Doak to score. After Doak’s conversion Ulster were 35-22 in front.

But Glasgow hung on in the fight and Thompson played in replacement No 9 Dobie to score their bonus point try. Thompson’s conversion piled on the pressure.

Glasgow were camped deep in Ulster territory for the final five minutes but they couldn’t score a fifth try despite an outstanding effort.

Scorers: Ulster: Tries: Penalty try (4), Roberts (23), Moore (44), Timoney (49), Doak (59) Cons: Cooney (24), N Doak (45, 50, 61). Glasgow Warriors: Tries: Horne (15), Matthews (43), Penalty try (55), Dobie (65) Pen: Weir (27) Con: Thompson (44, 66).

Scoring sequence: (Ulster first): 7-0, 7-5, 12-5, 14-5, 14-8, 14-13, 14-15 (half-time), 19-15, 21-15, 26-15, 28-15, 28-22, 33-22, 35-22, 35-27, 35-29.

Ulster: E McIlroy; R Baloucoune (W Addison 58), J Hume, S McCloskey, J Stockdale; B Burns (M Lowry 77), J Cooney (N Doak 31); A Warwick (E O’Sullivan 40), B Roberts (R Herring 40), M Moore (T O’Toole 50); A O’Connor, S Carter (M Kearney 40); G Jones (M Rea 67), S Reidy, N Timoney.

Glasgow Warriors: C Forbes; K Steyn, S Tuipulotu (O Smith 67), S Johnson, R McLean; D Weir (R Thompson 31), G Horne (J Dobie 58); B Thyer (J Bhatti 62), J Matthews (F Brown 50), S Berghan (M McCallum 47); S Cummings, R Gray (L Bean 67); R Wilson, R Darge, J Dempsey.

Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU).

Attendance: 10,000.