Adam Warren and Liam Williams crossed for scores for the Welsh region as they secured a 24-17 win - their fourth RaboDirect PRO12 victory on the bounce.
12 points from the boot of Ian Humphreys, and an Andrew Trimble try, were enough to keep Ulster within touching distance and ensure they returned from Wales with a bonus-point to declare.
And it was the positives of that consolation that ensured McLaughlin was in no mood to stick the boot into his side.
"We started well and scored a penalty and maybe could have scored a try in the early periods," said McLaughlin - who welcomed back six Ireland internationals into his side. "But the Scarlets put us under a bit of pressure before half time.
"We thought we defended exceptionally well, we counter-rucked brilliantly twice during that period but unfortunately the ball spilled out and they scored under the posts. It was a real fluke of a try but it's one of those things.
"In the second half the Scarlets came at us again but we clawed our way back to 16-14 and we put ourselves in a position to possibly win the game. But a defensive error let them away.
"We're disappointed not to win it but at least we got a bonus point in the end. Credit to the boys for fighting to the end. The conditions were very poor for both sides which didn't help either."
63x46.png){kind=logo}