| Wales Under-21 player Matthew Jones was the star of the show, playing a key role in the Welsh side's three first half tries that put them in control of the game.
Eric Elwood, 36, led the home side out on the occasion of his final home game for his province and an opening penalty from Mark McHugh had fans dreaming of a first victory at the Sportsground since November.
But the Celtic League champions underlined their credentials by levelling the scores with a penalty from Gavin Henson and then took control of the game by racking up three quick tries.
Jones put Jonathan Thomas away for the first score with a slick pass and Henson added the conversion.
Henson then grabbed a five pointer that saw him become the first player in the league to break the five hundred point barrier. The Wales star outmuscled both Darren Yapp and Matt Mostyn to touch down in the right corner.
Just after the half hour some good work from Jones again and Henson led to David Bishop putting another Lions prospect Shane WIlliams in at the corner. Henson added the extras once again.
Penalties in the shadow of their own posts saw both James Bater and Duncan Jones sent to the sin-bin and Connacht soon rallied as a result.
Flanker Matt Lacey extended his scoring run before the break but Elwood was unable to add the conversion.
Connacht themselves were reduced to 14 men in first half injury time after a foot trip from prop Stephen Knoop on Stefan Terblanche saw him cooling off in the sinbin.
A scoreless second half was ended in the fourth minute of injury time by a Mostyn try but Connacht failed to secure at least a bonus point when McHugh's conversion attempt was off-target.
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