Twist in the tale as Dragons go top

Their unbeaten record looked like going in the bitter night air, but they conjured up an astonishing recovery to rock Ulster and leave them shattered, nowhere to be seen after the game.

The Northern Ireland province left Rodney Parade with nothing to show for their efforts for the second time this season following their Heineken Cup setback.

Even a bonus point for keeping the deficit to within seven points would have left them clinging to the leadership, but the Dragons denied them that comfort as well.

Yet Ulster dominated much of the first hour through a mighty effort by the pack and the controlling influence of outside-half David Humphreys, a more cultured player than present Ireland incumbent Ronan O'Gara.

Though the Dragons led 9-3 after 33 minutes through three Percy Montgomery penalties, it was against the run of play, and then Ulster hit the Dragons with 13 points just four minutes before the interval.

Humphreys put winger James Topping through on the inside after he came in from his wing, centre Shane Stewart charged on and the ball returned to Humphreys, who handed on to full back Bryn Cunningham, who put number eight Roger Wilson over.

Humphreys converted from the touchline and fired over two more penalties to add to an earlier effort for a 16-9 interval lead, which became 19-12 with only 16 minutes left after Humphreys and Montgomery swopped penalties and the game was seemingly safe in the red hands of Ulster.

But there was a dramatic twist in the tail, and the catalyst for the comeback from the dead was provided by Dragons coach Mike Ruddock.

With the team going nowhere he made three crucial substitutions which turned the match on its head. He sent on Rod Snow, Jamie Ringer and Lee Jarvis, all of whom made an impact as the game shot into life and set up the following incredible finale:

64mins: Snow careered through the middle as only he can, the volatile Shawn van Rensburg took the ball on, back it came to Montgomery, who made ground before sending Jarvis, who had looped outside him, over in the corner. The conversion missed but the score was now 17-19.

66 mins: Ringer, Snow and Jason Forster combined in an all-out assault, but Hal Luscombe just failed to take a difficult low pass with the line open.

71 mins: Montgomery put a penalty shot wide which would have given the Dragons the lead.

74 mins: Monty made amends by landing a straight 45-yard penalty for a 20-19 advantage.

76 mins: Humphreys, who had never looked like missing, fluffed his easiest kick at goal all night and the chance to regain the lead.

79 mins: Dragons awarded a penalty which Michael Owen took with a quick tap to catch Ulster completely off guard. He charged clear, only to be caught just short, but he popped the ball up to Luscombe, who made no mistake this time for the try, which Monty converted for a 27-19 scoreline.

Injury time: Forster broke clean away, Sione Tuipulotu took up the running and sent Montgomery over the line, only to be recalled for a forward pass.

Final whistle blows and the 4,100 crowd go mad as the team return to take the plaudits.

What a breathtaking finish! What a stunning comeback! For the second game in a row Rodney Parade had witnessed an absolute cracker, this one just as much a heartstopper as the Llanelli clash before it.

And clash was the appropriate word on Saturday night as van Rensburg and Ulster prop Robbie Kempson, who spent three months at Newport a few years ago, waged their own personal battle.

Kempson was yellow-carded as early as the sixth minute for a pretty hefty punch on his fellow South African. The pair were at it for the rest of the match, never neglecting an opportunity to have a go at each other, whether through a sly dig or an open one, or doses of the verbals. Referee Iain Ramage showed surprising leniency towards them.

But on a positive note the match was a triumph for Ruddock's decision-making, the spirit and teamwork for which the Dragons are now renowned, the mark made by Montgomery yet again with a match haul of 17 points and the coming of age of prop Rhys Thomas, who handled Kempson like a veteran rather than the 21-year-old he is.

Ruddock will still be concerned about the lineout problems which surfaced with Ulster locks Gary Longwell and Matt McCullough pretty much in charge, and also the lack of a cutting edge behind once again.

And he somehow has to find a route to enable the Dragons to win away. But that is for the future - for the moment the Dragons can celebrate, looking down on the rest from their lofty position at the top of the Celtic League table.

Teams: Newport Gwent Dragons: S Tuipulotu, N Brew, P Montgomery, A Marinos (captain), H Luscombe, C Warlow (L Jarvis 54), G Baber, A Black (R Snow 54), S Jones, R Thomas, M Owen, P Sidoli, R Beattie (J Ringer 54), S van Rensburg, J Forster. Scorers -- tries: L Jarvis, H Luscombe; conversion: P Montgomery; penalties: Montgomery (5).

Ulster: B Cunningham, J Topping, S Stewart, P Steinmetz, S Young, D Humphreys, K Campbell (N Doak 51), R Kempson, P Shields, S Best (R Moore 60), G Longwell (M Mustchin 67), M McCullough, N Best (R Moore 15-17), R Wilson (W Brosnihan 68), N McMillan (captain). Scorers -- try: R Wilson; conversion: D Humphreys; penalties: Humphreys (4).