NEWPORT came agonisingly close to taking Pontypridd’s near two-year unbeaten home record in an excellent and thrilling game at Sardis Road this afternoon.

Replacement outside-half Shaun Connor seemed to have won the game for the Black and Ambers after calmly slotting over a long-range penalty near the death.

But Dean Gunter sent the home supporters into ecstasy with his penalty in stoppage time from a similar position after Newport infringed at a ruck.

The visitors led 17-0 after tries from fullback Gareth Wyatt and hooker Andrew Brown and two conversions and a penalty from No 10 Chris Wannell.

For a full report and reaction from Newport head coach Sven Cronk, read Monday's Argus.