Chris Paterson's golden boot turned to lead as Gloucester crashed out of the Heineken Cup at Kingsholm.

The Scotland star's goalkicking accuracy deserted him in his hour of need - and 2006 European champions Munster did not require a second invitation to book a semi-final later this month against Saracens or Ospreys.

Paterson had kicked 33 successive goals at Test level, including 17 in a row at the World Cup last autumn, but three botched strikes during the opening 22 minutes in Gloucester's biggest game for years allowed Munster an unexpected reprieve.

And Gloucester were made to pay as Munster moved into their seventh Heineken Cup semi-final.

One bright note for Gloucester saw centre Mike Tindall make his return off the bench, two months after suffering a torn liver, punctured lung and internal bleeding during England's RBS 6 Nations defeat against Wales at Twickenham.

But Tindall, who took over as captain when lock Marco Bortolami was substituted after 55 minutes, could not turn the tide for the Guinness Premiership leaders.

Munster wings Ian Dowling and Doug Howlett scored tries in each half, and with fly-half Ronan O'Gara slotting two penalties, Gloucester had to concede second-best.

The west country club remain on course to reach this season's Guinness Premiership title play-offs, yet it could take them some time to recover from a Heineken trademark Munster mauling.

Four previous European meetings between the teams had gone with home advantage, but Munster bucked the trend, inflicting only a second home defeat on the Cherry and Whites in all competitions this term.

Gloucester, despite stuttering domestic form, targeted a first Heineken semi-final since 2001 when they lost to eventual tournament winners Leicester at Vicarage Road.

Head coach Dean Ryan faced a difficult back-row selection, but he opted to leave out Akapusi Qera and Alasdair Strokosch, while Munster boss Declan Kidney sprung surprises at full-back and scrum-half.

Denis Hurley made his Heineken Cup debut in the number 15 shirt, and Tomas O'Leary was preferred to established Ireland international Peter Stringer - man-of-the-match when Munster were crowned European champions two years ago.

And there was a late blow for Munster when prop Marcus Horan suffered a back spasm during the warm-up. He was replaced by Tony Buckley, with former Gloucester player Federico Pucciariello joining the bench.

Munster, playing in unfamiliar blue shirts, enjoyed an early reprieve when Paterson rifled a straightforward penalty chance wide, and then he missed another sitter six minutes later.

Gloucester enjoyed territorial dominance, but Paterson let them down, losing his unswerving Test match accuracy in the heat of a Heineken cauldron.

And O'Gara soon showed him how it should be done, slotting a 15-metre kick after Gloucester prop Carlos Nieto was sin-binned by Welsh referee Nigel Owens for killing possession.

Gloucester needed to show some composure under pressure, yet the early signs pointed to a vastly-experienced Munster outfit taking control.

Paterson then drifted a third penalty kick off-target - it was in such stark contrast to his Scotland form - and Munster moved into the second quarter 3-0 ahead.

Gloucester enjoyed a concerted spell of territorial pressure, but their scrum could not make inroads, and Munster ended the half in control.

Playing at a Test match intensity, Munster looked to dominate the opening 40 minutes in style, and they delivered when wing Dowling crossed wide out to round off a sweeping move.

O'Gara failed to add the conversion, but Munster were good value for their 8-0 interval advantage.

The Ireland fly-half landed a second penalty nine minutes after the restart, compounding Gloucester's degree of difficulty, before Munster struck a telling blow 16 minutes from time.

Hurley linked superbly with Howlett, sending a testing kick towards Gloucester's defence that they could not deal with, and Howlett gathered to deliver a killer blow.

Fly-half Ryan Lamb, belatedly handed kicking duties instead of Paterson, landed a penalty four minutes later, yet Gloucester had too much to do.

And Munster effortlessly closed out the game, leaving Gloucester to wonder what might have been as the Irish giants moved to within one win of another Heineken Cup final appearance.