Struggling Ospreys finished a turbulent week with another Pro14 defeat against Cheetahs in Neath.

After Allen Clarke left his job as head coach on Monday, Ospreys suffered an eighth defeat in nine games this season.

It was a sixth league loss in seven games as Ospreys remain second to bottom in Conference A.

The Welsh region next face a tricky European Champions Cup double-header against Racing 92.

It has proved a turbulent week with Carl Hogg and Matt Sherratt taking charge of the side in Clarke's absence at the first league game at the Gnoll since 2005.

Ospreys welcomed back Wales trio Dan Evans, Dan Lydiate and Luke Morgan from injury, while Scott Williams, Bradley Davies and Nicky Smith were released by Wales.

Luke Price was named at outside-half with new signing Marty McKenzie still to make his debut for the region.

Ospreys conceded an early try when centre William Small-Smit powered over before Luke Price and Ruan Pienaar exchanged penalties.

A storming break and chip from hooker Scott Otten took Ospreys almost the length of the field and set up the attacking platform for Ma'afu Fia to power over.

Price converted to give the hosts a 10-8 lead but the Ospreys outside-half and Pienaar were both guilty of missing simple penalties either side of half-time.

Wales prop Smith replaced injured front-rower Rhodri Jones before Price missed another penalty chance.

Cheetahs made Ospreys pay for failing to capitalise on their territory and dominance by clinically taking the lead through hooker Wilmar Arnoldi from a driving lineout.

Tian Schoeman converted before exchanging penalties with Price.

A dramatic finale saw a series of Ospreys driving lineouts with Cheetahs second row Sintu Manjezi yellow-carded, but the visitors held out to clinch victory.

Ospreys were returning to Pro14 action after two defeats in Europe, including last weekend's 44-3 mauling at Saracens.

Ospreys: D Evans; Dirksen, Thomas-Wheeler, S Williams, L Morgan; L Price, S Venter; R Jones, Otten, Fia, B Davies, Ashley, Lydiate (capt), Cracknell, M Morris.

Replacement: I Phillips, N Smith, Gajion, Volpi, Cross, Aubrey, Hook, K Williams.

Cheetahs: R Smith; Barry, Small-Smith, Janse van Rensberg, Blommetjies; Schoeman, Pienaar (capt); B Venter, Arnoldi, de Bruin, Manjezi, Steenkamp, Massyn, Pokomela, Davis.

Replacements: Van der Merwe, R Venter, de Jager, du Preez, Olivier, Meyer, Whitehead, C Smith.

Referee: Joy Neville (IRFU)

Assistant referees: Mike English (WRU), Oisin Quinn (IRFU)

TMO: Simon McDowell (IRFU)