NEWPORT-Gwent Dragons' Celtic League title aspirations took a blow as they dropped to third place from second via a disappointing defeat against Neath-Swansea Ospreys at St Helens last night.
Mike Ruddock's men could have gone to the top of the table because Ulster lost in Glasgow.
Instead, after leading 11-8 at half-time, they threw away that advantage conceding three tries, three penalties and one conversion against the lowly Ospreys.
The Dragons took their slender lead into the break thanks to a Percy Montgomery penalty on the stroke of half-time.
Prior to that, Ruddock's side had dominated for long periods of the half but a combination of poor finishing and great Ospreys defence kept the Dragons at bay.
The Dragons got on the scoreboard first with Montgomery sending over an early penalty.
But minutes later, the Ospreys were level with a penalty from full-back Gavin Henson.
The Dragons had numerous chances to extend their lead but just could not break through and it was the Ospreys who grabbed the first try of the night.
Flanker Steve Tandy scored it after 30 minutes, touching down from close range after number eight Nathan Bonner-Evans had broken through poor Dragons tackling.
But Ruddock's men were not behind for long, scoring a great try to silence the home crowd.
A flowing move inside the Ospreys' 22 which involved both the Dragons' back row division and the three-quarters saw left wing Ben Breeze touching down in the corner.
And just before the break, there was a further boost for the Dragons with Montgomery putting over that penalty.
The Dragons began the second-half poorly, though, and the home team capitalised on it, scoring an early try and a penalty.
Bonner-Evans went over for the touchdown in the corner and, minutes later, Henson sent over the penalty, kicked from his own half to give the home side into a 16-11 lead.
Montgomery reduced the deficit with ten minutes remaining but Henson got his third penalty.
The Dragons left gaps in their defence which the Opsreys exploited towards the end.
With three minutes left, centre Dave Tuieti scored the Ospreys' third try to put the game beyond doubt while, Henson sent over the conversion to seal the win.
Teams. Neath-Swansea Ospreys: Henson, Terblanche, Tiueti, Brayley, Morris, Connor, A. Williams, D. Jones (T Evans. 50mins), B. Williams, Millward (A Catworthy. 24mins), Newman, Tait, Bater (A Lloyd. 75mins), Tandy, Bonner-Evans.
Newport-Gwent Dragons: Tuipuluto, Brew, Montgomery, Marinos (S Winn. 78mins), Breeze, Warlow (L Jarvis. 78mins), Baber (R Jones. 76mins), Snow (A Black. 76mins), S. Jones (P Young. 72mins), Thomas, Sidoli, Edwards, Ringer (S van Rensburg. 45mins), Forster, Skinstad (M Veater. 73mins)
Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)
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