THE lights went down on Newport's Heineken Cup hopes last night when they suffered a cruel defeat at the hands of Leinster at a packed Rodney Parade.

Newport appeared to be cruising when they led 18-10 at half time and having Leinster in all sorts of trouble, particularly trying to defend from high kicks.

But the game was dramatically topped for 18 minutes in the second half by a partial floodlight failure.

There was utter confusion until the teams eventually returned to the field, but it was Leinster who seized the opportunity when outside half Nathan Spooner kicked two late long range penalties.

That made it 11 wins from 11 for the Irish province this season and it leaves Newport needing a near miracle to qualify for the quarter finals.

A big crowd saw Newport concede a rash of early penalties, and outside half Nathan Spooner put Leinster ahead with his second attempt after 10 minutes.

But Newport's forwards worked up a head of steam and rattled Leinster with a battering ram charge down the right, Peter Buxton and Mike Voyle in everything.

The ball was switched left where the onrushing Matt Pini was well tackled by Peter McKenna But Leinster soon ceded a penalty and Howarth put the ball between the uprights to level the score after 18 minutes.

Pini was quickly in 'action at the other end when he brought down the dangerous Brian O'Driscoll, but from the scrum which followed Leinster blindside Eric Miller broke through Howarth's tackle and scored a try which Spooner converted.

Newport replied with a penalty and launched themselves at the Leinster line, Chris Anthony, Simon Raiwalui and Buxton all going close.

And when Newport were awarded another penalty Howarth quickly moved it and Andy Marinos swerved inside and out; showing great strength to make it to the line for a try which Howarth converted to put the scores level again.

With some superb skill under pressure Buxton flicked a loose ball to Howarth who promptly dropped a goal on the turn to give Newport the lead for the first time.

And bedlam broke out in injury time when Howarth kicked high to the left where the waiting Ben Breeze out jumped Gordon D'Arcy, got hold of the ball and was over the line in a flash for Newport's second try.

Leinster quickly made inroads at the start of the second half when Spooner kicked a fine 45-yard penalty but they lost No 8 Victor Costello, replaced by Trevor Brennan.

The official crowd of 10,285 was the biggest for a club game in Wales this season and they were enthralled by a cracking high-intensity contest.

Newport brought on Ian Gough and Adrian Garvey for Voyle and Anthony though the decision to bring off' Voyle, who was given a thunderous reception before returning to New Zealand tomorrow bordered on the ridiculous.

And Newport suffered a dreadful decision by the referee when McKenna knocked on and Jonathan Pritchard raced away only for the referee to bring him back for a scrum.

Leinster were rattled by Newport's high kicks as Newport threw everything at them, but to rub salt into Newport's wounds, Leinster broke away from near their own line to snatch a try out of nothing.

Pini was robbed of the ball by McKenna and with all the Newport players up field he raced the length of the pitch to score a try against the run of play which Spooner converted to regain the lead.

But Howarth snatched it back almost immediately when he landed his second penalty.

Confusion reigned after 66 minutes when a floodlight partially failed and the game was brought to a halt.

The rival captains and coaches and the referees all consulted with referee White apparently saying that if Newport failed to solve the problem he would call the game off.

The situation was unprecedented but after an 18-minute delay the game resumed though conditions were no better particularly in Leinster's right corner.

Newport kept pummelling away, but Howarth missed a comfortable penalty shot that was made even worse when Spooner landed a 5o-yard effort to regain the lead for Leinster.

Howarth had another chance, but he missed again, and Spooner put another 45-yarder over in injury time to seal victory.

Newport: Pini, Mostyn, Marinos, Pritchard, Breeze, Howarth, Tonu'u, Snow, Richards, Anthony, Raiwalui, Voyle, Buxton, Forster, A. Powell. Replacements: Garvey, Young, Gough, Gravell, Brew, Strange, Burn. Scorers: - Tries - Marinos, Breeze; conversion: Howarth; penalties - Howarth (2); dropped goal: Howarth. Leinster: McKenna, Keogh, 0'priscoll, Horgan, Darcy, Spooner, O'Meara, Corrigan, S. Byrne, E. Byrne, Cullen, 0'Kelly, Miller, Gleeson, Costello. Replacements: Coyle, G. Hickie, Casey, Brennan, Willis, Dunne, Magro. Scorers: Tries - Miller, McKenna; conversions Spooner (2): penalties - Spooner (4). Referee: Chris White (England) Att: 10,285