Ulster’s lead at the top of Pool 5 is now just two points ahead of next Sunday’s potential fire cracker, with Leicester knowing that a victory of any sorts will see them jump above Ulster into top spot.

The 2001 and 2002 tournament winners were made to work hard for a fourth straight victory in the current campaign but they turned a 13-8 half-time deficit into a 34-19 success at the Stadio di Monigo. A brace of Miles Benjamin tries were accompanied by an early effort from Julian Salvi and a penalty score, with Owen Williams adding a penalty and David Mele kicking three penalties and a conversion as Treviso faded late on.

Matt Berquist contributed 14 points for Treviso, with prop Lorenzo Cittadini claiming their solitary first-half try.

Berquist opened the scoring with his first successful Heineken Cup kick at goal after five minutes but it was Leicester who grabbed the game’s first try after turning down a shot at goal in favour of an attacking lineout. Salvi emerged with the ball in hand when Treviso had no answer to Leicester’s catch and drive and you sensed that the Tigers would kick on after their promising start.

That scenario didn’t materialise, though, as Williams’ missed conversion was followed by a fine response from the hosts.

Cittadini made light work of Benjamin’s tackle to dive over from just a metre out and Treviso were back in front after 19 minutes. Wing Luke McLean and flanker Christian Loamanu cut loose to put Treviso on the front foot and Leicester eventually ran out of numbers at a close-range ruck.

Berquist added the extras from halfway between the right touchline and the posts and the New Zealander then landed a long-range penalty to stretch the lead to eight points at 13-5 with 25 minutes gone.

Both sides enjoyed their fair share of possession in the final 15 minutes of the half but it was Leicester who finished the stronger as Williams kicked a straightforward penalty as the clock ticked into the red.

Treviso were off the mark first in the second period thanks to a third penalty from Berquist but Leicester raced away for a superb second try five minutes in.

Niki Goneva’s initial burst created space for Benjamin out wide on the left and the former Worcester wing supplied a stunning finish from distance, dummying between two men and then holding off two more to stretch over a metre in from touch. Williams was off target with the difficult conversion attempt but Leicester were back to within three points at 16-13.

Berquist pushed Treviso six points clear with his fourth and final penalty with half an hour left but it was all Leicester from there on in.

Replacement scrum-half Mele cut the gap again with his first penalty after 55 minutes and things swung Leicester’s way when Treviso full back Brendan Williams saw yellow for failing to roll away after bringing Benjamin to ground 60 seconds later.

Mele kicked Leicester level on the hour and another lineout brought their third try four minutes later. Salvi again emerged at the bottom of a huge drive but referee Romain Poite made Mele’s life easier by awarding a penalty try for Treviso’s attempts to bring down the maul.

Leicester led 26-19 at that point and had a quarter of an hour to secure the bonus point score but they needed just another two minutes as Benjamin dotted down with ease out wide. Anthony Allen marked his first game since October with the crucial burst, with Benjamin one of three men who could have crossed out wide. Mele missed the extras but kicked a third penalty as Leicester eased home late on.