A try in stoppage time prevented Connacht from getting a bonus point at Rodney Parade in a match they should have won.

Connacht trailed 13-10 at half-time having played against the wind, with Miah Nikora getting in for a try he converted five minutes from the break.

Dragons led 10-0 after 16 minutes thanks to a try from James Harris but a penalty from Nikora just before the break reduced the deficit.

Shaun Connor extended Dragons lead in the final quarter and as Connacht launched a series of attacks in a bid for a match-winning try, they were hit when turnover ball saw Joe Bearman break down the right-wing to ensure that the visitors left without the consolation of a bonus point.

DRAGONS:
Tries: J Harris, Bearman
Cons: Arlidge, Connor
Pens: Arlidge (2); Connor

CONNACHT:
Try: Nikora
Con: Nikora
Pen: Nikora

Newport Gwent Dragons: M Thomas; A Brew, T Riley, A Smith, R Fussell; J Arlidge, D Lee; H Gustafson, S Jones, G Robinson; A Jones, L Charteris; D Lydiate, J Harris, J Bearman.
Replacements: N Hall for Robinson, 46 mins; H McDonald for Harris, 50 mins; S Connor for Arlidge, 51 mins; W Evans for Lee, 60 mins.

Connacht: G Duffy; B Tuohy, T Nathan, K Matthews, L Bibo; M Nikora, C O’Loughlin; R Loughney, S Cronin, J Hagan; M Swift, B Upton; M McCarthy, J O’Connor, J Muldoon.
Replacements: B Wilkinson for Loughney, 53 mins; F Murphy for O’Loughlin, 60 mins; I Keatley for Nikora, 70 mins; A Browne for Swift, 77 mins.

Referee: P Fitzgibbon (IRFU).