BOSS Dai Flanagan felt his “flat” Dragons side failed to match the standards that they had set in the opening weeks of the season when beaten by the Lions 23-19.

The South Africans took the spoils from a tight United Rugby Championship contest at Rodney Parade despite being outscored three tries to two.

Flanker Harri Keddie scored an interception try and number eight Taine Basham produced two strong finishes from close range but the Dragons had to settle for a losing bonus point.

Flanagan, whose side stunned the Ospreys on opening weekend, frustrated Leinster for the first half in Dublin and then were denied at the death by the Sharks, felt that was a big missed opportunity.

“That didn’t look us and how we have played in the last few weeks. We didn't drive much energy and tempo in the game,” said the head coach.

“The ball in play was extremely low in the first half - there were 12 scrums - so we created more of a pushing contest and a slower game rather than a running game.

DEFLATED: The Dragons after being edged out by the LionsDEFLATED: The Dragons after being edged out by the Lions (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency)

“We have to reflect on our accuracy and wastefulness. There are always positives, and we are trying to build step by step, but it's hard to take them off the back of another narrow loss.

“Today the issue was our energy. We looked flat, didn’t look like us and kept giving the Lions easy ins to the game.

“When they kept the ball for multiple phases then we broke, so we need to be more connected in the week to make sure we turn up ready to go.

“We are a small squad and are training with 27, 28 players every week. We are asking a lot of our boys but we have to prep and do the work. Where do you take your foot off the gas?”

The Dragons led 19-13 early in the second half but then conceded a penalty and a poor try, when flanker Jacob Cairns powered through full-back Angus O’Brien and centre Joe Westwood.

“We have to be present in every moment and it was very similar to the moment that cost us against the Sharks on 38 minutes,” said Flanagan.

“We are good individuals but if we want to be a good team then we have to stay present in those moments.”

The Dragons caused problems with ball in hand but, just like in the first half at Leinster, failed to convert enough of their chances.

“I'd like to see us capitalise more on the strike plays. It's great making line breaks but we have to score tries,” said Flanagan.

“We are making multiple line breaks, getting offloads and finding space but we are not being accurate when it counts.

“Some of our decision-making was poor, we have a massive conversion rate when we get into the five-metre area and have to take confidence from that and get there more.”

The Dragons have a six-day turnaround to face a Benetton side who flexed their muscles when thumping the Sharks in Treviso.