Newport are out of the Welsh /Scottish League title race after an agonizing fifth successive defeat at the hands of Cardiff at Rodney Parade last night.

Newport held a 14-0 lead early in the second half and seemed to be well in control only to be rocked by a Cardiff revival out of nothing.

Anthony Sullivan pounced for a soft try and then center Jamie Robinson broke Newport's hearts, just as he had in the cup last month by racing through for another.

Again Newport paid a heavy price for failing to press home their first half advantage when they led only 9-0, all the points coming from the boot of Shane Howarth.

But though losing, this was no repeat of Newport's previous two League performances against Neath and Swansea.

They piled into Cardiff from the start, and there was no lack of commitment, just a shortage of good fortune and it was ultimately a sad way to mark the return to the ground of former captain Gary Teichmann.

Outside half Shane Howarth reported fit after being out with damaged ribs and he kicked off with a near gale blowing behind him.

Newport almost made a sensational start as Lane passed flat to Howarth, who put the ball in field to Breeze. He shot through a gap and though Pritchard gave a scoring pass on Luscombe he had just the knock on ball on.

Then Mostyn careered over the line but had run it to his own man, and finally in this super-charged start by Newport, Howarth was clean away only to be recalled by referee Clayton Thomas who then awarded Newport a scrum.

Newport were clearly psyched-up after three successive defeats, but again they failed to take their chances.

Cardiff made ground through a series of drives by their packs, but Craig Quinnell was penalised for punching and Howarth found touch TWO YARDS FROM THE Cardiff line from deep inside his own 22.

Voyle won the line out, Garvey rolled off and when the ball was flipped out neatly by Lane, Mostyn put Howarth over the line, but again there had been a forward pass. Newport crossed the Cardiff line three times in the first 12 minutes, only to be recalled for infringing on every occasion.

Than Powell spoilt another promising position by knocking on at the back of the scrum.

But more neat play between Lane and Howarth put Newport into the Cardiff 22 again, though Cardiff's defence held when Morgan countered dangerously Breeze came to Newport's rescue.

Newport finally got some points on the board when Howarth kicked a penalty after Foster stole a Cardiff line out at the tail and drove on.

Newport piled on heavy pressure, looking dangerous with Howarth and Pini running strongly. It seemed they must score - as they did when Howarth dropped a goal.

The Newport crowd were now in full voice as Powell and Buxton led another charge, Cardiff were penalised when Appleyard came in from the wrong side and Howarth again put the kick over to make it 9-0 after 32 minutes.

Cardiff hit back but Harris missed a penalty chance.

Then Rhys Williams burst clear but with the line open, Andrew Lewis knocked on.

Cardiff were reduced to 14 men when Sullivan was yellow-carded for deliberately knocking on with the line open.

Despite their domination, the home side failed to cross the Cardiff line and half-time arrived with the Black and Ambers tryless.

Wales coach Steve Hansen was an anonymous figure sat at the end of a row in the stand and one of his Welsh players, Ian Gough appeared as a second half replacement for Voyle.

Newport played far more patiently into the wind after the break and were rewarded with a glorious try.

Some sparkling running and handling by the backs, with Luscombe acting as a decoy, saw Breeze sweep through the defence and send fellow wing Mostyn, who had looped around outside him, ripping over the corner.

Newport almost scored again when Powell charged down a relieving kick by Williams and made off for the line only to be held up short.

Cardiff finally got some points on the board after 58 minutes when Harris kicked a straight penalty for an offence at a ruck.

And they scored again when Powell made a searing break, Robinson kicked on and when Pini was harassed by Williams the fast following up Sullivan pounced for try.

Harris converted off an upright and suddenly Newport's lead had been cut to four points.

They responded with a flowing move started by a thrilling run by Breeze and then involving Luscombe, Howarth and Forster until Morgan's left boot pegged them back.

Newport brought on Chris Anthony for Adrian Garvey and Joe Powell for Andrew Powell, Cardiff replacing Gary Powell with former Wales captain David Young and Matt Allen with Nicky Robinson. And with seven minutes left Cardiff struck again as their backs sliced through.

From a retreating scrum Baugh made ground, replacement Robinson broke through and put older brother Jamie Robinson racing through for a try. A Harris conversion turned a 14 deficit into a three point lead for the visitors.

Newport suffered a shocking refereeing decision when Breeze arrowed through for a slanting run only for the official to rule obstruction by Newport colleagues when they weren't interfering.

Then Thomas gave another mistake over a knock-on decision and when Howarth objected he was warned and Harris put the penalty shot just wide.

Toward the end Newport's frustration boiled over and Snow and Baugh were involved in a punch-up as the night turned sour for Newport.

Scorers - Newport: Try: Matt Mostyn; penalties: Shane Howarth (2); dropped goal: Howarth. Cardiff - Tries: Anthony Sullivan, Jamie Robinson; conversions; Iestyn Harris (2); penalty; Harris.