NEWPORT Gwent Dragons have shot to the top of the Celtic League table, joint leaders with Ulster, as their fight to win the title continues to the bitter end.

The Dragons' magnificent eight-try bonus point 54-10 victory over The Borders at Rodney Parade last night not only gave them a 100 per cent home league record, but Ulster's failure to gain a bonus point against Leinster really opens up the race with just one round of matches left.

The Dragons need Neath-Swansea Ospreys to beat Llanelli Scarlets at St Helen's on Sunday to throw it all into the melting pot and mean Mike Ruddock's men marching on to Dublin to take on Leinster with a big chance of taking the crown.

That Leinster game next Friday will be played at Ireland's headquarters of Lansdowne Road because the Donnybrook pitch is unfit.

And the Dragons have still won more games than anyone else in the league. That led Dragons coach Ruddock to say after last night's game:

"Winning more games should be the measure, there's no doubt about that. If the points are level at the end and we have won more games we should take the title.

"I'm very proud to have won more games than anyone else and it would be a travesty if that's how it stays and we don't win the title. It's still Llanelli's championship if they want it, but if they slip up all we can do is keep winning.

"The performance against Borders was excellent. They are not as bad as their league position indicates. They made us work hard and I was pleased with our skills, handling and interplay, the intent was magnificent.

"To win all our home games in the league is a big achievement, I'm proud of the boys, they have worked for everything, no-one handed them anything."

It was an emotional occasion for Dragons captain Andy Marinos, playing his final game at Rodney Parade before retiring to become the chief executive.

"It was nearly as emotional as with my wife giving birth to three children," he said.

"I was delighted to take the children out to share in the occasion.

"I couldn't think of a better place to call it a day. The support I got when I came off summed it up and meant I could walk away with people having enjoyed my contribution here.

"Now to go to Lansdowne Road with the title in our sights is fantastic, and it will be a dream end to my career.

"The win tonight has got to rank with one of our best, particularly with our performance in the second half. Now the big thing is to go to Lansdowne Road with a real chance of winning the title, and if the Ospreys can help us on Sunday that would be great.

"But you couldn't ask for more than to have an unbeaten home record and qualify for Europe again. We never thought we would be in this position at the start of the year and we'll be taking full advantage as there are no second chances."