NEWPORT Gwent Dragons boss Lyn Jones has hailed the spirit of his team after they stunned RaboDirect Pro12 title hopefuls Glasgow on their own patch.

The region headed into the game at Scotstoun Stadium on a run of eight successive away defeats, a streak that stretched back to their win against Zebre in Parma last February.

Glasgow would have gone to the top of the table with victory and had enjoyed 37-6 and 60-3 drubbings of the Dragons in 2012/13.

But the Rodney Parade region produced a magnificent performance to take the spoils 23-8, wing Will Harries crossing for a try and fly-half Jason Tovey managing a full house with a try, two conversions, two penalties and a drop goal.

“It was an incredibly hard fought victory,” said director of rugby Jones. “Glasgow are a quality, confident team – they are not at the top end of the table for nothing.

“They threw everything at us but the players put their heart and soul into the performance.

“We dealt with Glasgow’s attacking threat and our defence was superb; we were hard-working and organised to frustrate them.

“We came through despite three yellow cards (to Pat Leach, Matthew Pewtner and Netani Talei) and going down 5-0 in the opening minutes.

“That shows great character and we have learnt from some tough experiences from earlier in the season.”

Tovey’s performance won man of the match and left Scottish onlookers purring.

“He may be well down the rankings in Wales but he was streets ahead of anyone else and Scotland would snap him up in a nanosecond if it was remotely possible,” read the report in The Scotsman newspaper.

The 24-year-old returned to Rodney Parade this summer after an ill-fated season with Cardiff Blues and sits second in the Pro12 points charts behind the Ospreys’ Dan Biggar.

“Jason is an instinctive, natural 10,” said Jones. “He knows when to kick, when to pass. He is growing in confidence, is working hard and playing well.”