By Jeff McTainsh
A controversial injury time try may have dealt a critical blow to the Crusaders chances, going down 40 - 35 to the Bulls in Pretoria.
The Crusaders held a slim lead in the dying minutes before South African referee Marius Jonker awarded a try that may have ended their season.
With a semi-final spot in the balance the Crusaders ran on to Loftus looking to do something no other team had done in two years - beat the Bulls.
The Bulls were down to 10 men when lock Danie Russow was shown a yellow card in his 100th super rugby game.
But it was the Bulls who finished the half strongly with two brilliant tries of their own to lead 24 - 19.
The second half was played like a test match. Crusaders hooker Ti'i Paulo edging over for the crucial bonus point fourth try.
And after the Bulls lost another player to the bin for a spear tackle, Morne Steyn and Dan Carter locked horns in a kicking dual
Carter held his nerve to give the Crusaders a two-point lead in the dying minutes before one of the most controversial calls of the season.
South African referee Marius Jonker opting not to call for the TMO and ruling the ball knocked backwards by a Crusaders player.
The 40 - 35 loss now means the Crusaders have to rely on other results going their way.
The Crusaders must beat the Brumbies next week to avoid missing the semi-finals for just the fourth time in 14 years.
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