Clermont Auvergne's bonus-point victory over the Scarlets relegated Wasps to third place in the group.
Leinster's bonus point try came when a long pass from Malcolm O'Kelly gave O'Driscoll the space to make the corner again.
BBC: SPORT | Rugby Union | My Club | Leinster | Leinster 26-10 Agen
But Hodgson turned to villain five minutes later when he spilled O'Gara's diagonal kick which enabled Dowling to scramble his side's fourth try - guaranteeing Munster's bonus point.
Yves Donguy's try helped Toulouse claim a crucial bonus point despite Felipe Contepomi's late Leinster drop-goal.
Another scintillating Dragons attack ended with a knock-on from Fussell, but the winger made no mistake when presented with the chance to seal his side's try bonus point.
The wing darted on to Sweeney's inside pass and galloped in from 40 yards out to secure a bonus point, Sweeney's conversion putting the visitors 32-13 ahead.
The fly-half's score secured a bonus point for Leinster, while also denying Blues a consolation losing bonus point.
Tries from prop Chris Budgen and Luke Arscott narrowed the margin to give Rob Baxter's men a valuable bonus point.
But as the visitors pushed in vain for a bonus point, Clermont's Napolioni Nalaga crashed over to send Brendan Venter's side home empty-handed.
Ulster's intent had been to top the table outright overnight, ahead of Leinster's game with Connacht on Saturday, but their losing bonus point puts them on equal points with Michael Cheika's side.
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With the game lost, they did manage a losing bonus point courtesy of Stoddart's injury-time try.
Keith Earls' score increased Munster's lead and Paul Warwick's late try ensured the bonus point.
Paterson then set up Ford's replacement Kelly for the bonus-point effort and added a further conversion.
Michael Paterson also crossed and Richard Mustoe went over for the bonus point with the game's last move.
The Scottish flyer's try also claimed a bonus point for Scarlets, with Regan King having crossed in the first half.
Contepomi converted and also added the extras after he charged down Riki Flutey to claim Leinster's fourth try and a bonus point.
Sexton tagged on the tricky conversion for a 10-point buffer at half-time, and it was his half-break that ignited Leinster's attack again for their bonus point try.
Tom Court went over from close range to seal the bonus point and Doug Howlett's try gave Munster hope before Andrew Trimble's late try sealed the win.
Although they achieved what was expected in terms of the victory and bonus point, Brian McLaughlin's men will know they will have to perform better away to Biarritz next weekend.
New Zealand's failure to secure a bonus point means that mathematically at least, they need another point from their final two matches to reclaim the Tri-Nations title, with South Africa in Johannesburg next up in a fortnight.
But the Welsh side did earn a losing bonus point courtesy of Morgan Stoddart's injury-time try.
Hodgson added two more penalties in the second half before Michael Stephenson's try secured Leeds a losing bonus point.
It was then a question of Cardiff's ability to earn a crucial bonus point with a fourth try - but they fell short.
With no time to go for a winner despite their thrilling fightback, Perpignan had a penalty to move within seven points and claim a second bonus point - only for Porical's long-range effort to fall just short.
The losing bonus point was the Welsh side's first in this season's cup and their competition is all but over, but Wasps will be seeking a four-try victory in next week's reverse fixture at Adams Park to make up their two-point deficit on Toulouse in the group.
Tom Varndell's second-half effort sealed the bonus point with Dan Hipkiss and Louis Deacon also scoring tries.
For Northampton, it was a third straight defeat, made all the more painful when MacLeod's late conversion denied them a losing bonus point.
Hougaard kept up his 100% kicking rate after the break, but Paul Diggin's late try earned Saints a losing bonus point.
With eight minutes remaining, Morris gathered McFadden's chip over the top and evaded Frank Murphy's attempted tackle to chalk up the bonus point.
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