Newport Gwent Dragons’ Magners League play-off hopes suffered a big blow when they were beaten by Glasgow at Firhill yesterday, the Scottish team moving back above the Ospreys into fourth place in the table.

But the Dragons are virtually guaranteed a Heineken Cup place next season after the Scarlets lost to the Ospreys on Friday.

It means that despite their setback against Glasgow the Dragons still lead the Scarlets by ten points with only three games left.

The west Wales region have all their remaining matches at home but the Dragons have got two at Rodney Parade against Edinburgh and Cardiff Blues.

But they failed to follow up their victory over the Ospreys, lacking a host of injured players and they had to manage without Wales lock Luke Charteris, who didn’t appear for the second half, and they also lost Matthew Watkins who was yellow carded for a high tackle early in the second half.

Jason Tovey kicked four penalties to take his total to 99 in his last seven appearances but Glasgow scored three tries to a late effort by Will Harries and were worthy winners, though the Dragons almost snatched a losing bonus point at the end.

It had been a fine weekend in Glasgow after the snow of a few days ago, bright sun greeting the teams and immediately Newport captain Andrew Coombs gave himself a confidence boost by catching the kick-off, Wayne Evans putting the ball into touch.

But Glasgow threatened when wing Colin Shaw came into the line and created a gap, then centre Graeme Morrison evaded Watkins and when the ball was moved right full back Bernard Stortoni held off another tackle to barge over, giving his lead a fourth minute lead.

Teenage No 8 Toby Faletau distinguished himself with a fine clearance but Glasgow lost flanker James Eddie, the replacement for John Barclay, after just eight minutes when he limped off and Richie Vernon went on.

Watkins finally drove the Dragons into the home 22 after 10 minutes with a lengthy touchfinder and Tovey kept them there with one of his deft touches with the boot.

He did better than that when he narrowed the gap to a point with an easy penalty after Brown was pulled up by the referee.

And two minutes later he put the Dragons in front rather against the run of play with a second more difficult penalty after Richard Fussell stormed downfield from the kick off.

But they fell behind again through careless back play when passing broke down and wing Dan van der Merwe hacked the ball on and won the race for the touchdown though Parks unaccountably missed his second conversion attempt.

But the Dragons retaliated, Gavin Thomas pouncing on a stray home line-out and full back Martyn Thomas making inroads. Then Faletau made more ground and put Will Harries away down the wing until he was tackled into touch on the 22.

But Tovey struck again, reducing the lead to a point with his third penalty after Martyn Thomas slanted infield and Glasgow used hands in the ruck illegally.

A similar offence by the Dragons minutes later presented Parks with a comfortable penalty and with the last play of the half Parks kicked his second penalty after heavy home pressure.

Hoani MacDonald replaced the injured Charteris at the start of the second half but almost immediately the Dragons were hit by a double whammy when Watkins was yellow carded for a high tackle on Max Evans and Parks made it worse when he put the penalty over.

But the Dragons didn’t concede any more points when Watkins was off, Tovey in fact striking the crossbar with a huge penalty shot from inside his own half.

Watkins remained on the sidelines, Rhodri Gomer-Davies taking over while Ben Castle replaced Pat Palmer.

But Max Evans almost made it in the corner for Glasgow, the ball just eluding him as Fussell and Thomas challenged him.

Then Parks was short with a long range penalty attempt but he had more success with another shot from much easier range.

The Dragons battled back again though and a lovely run by Faletau and well timed pass to Harries put the winger away, but he was halted 20 yards out.

Skipper Tom Willis had another go and when Glasgow were penalised almost in front Tovey landed his fourth penalty to keep them in the hunt.

Then a clever run by the No 10 supported by Fussell almost opened up a gap, but Glasgow came again and Evans chipped neatly, Harries couldn’t clear and Shaw pounced for the try.

The Dragons stubbornly refused to give in and showed their usual spirit as they fought back to nab a try two minutes from the end when Harries crossed after Evans did the spadework. Replacement James Arlidge converted and the Dragons agonisingly just missed out on a losing bonus point.

Glasgow: B Stortoni, C Shaw, M Evans, G Morrison, D van der Merwe (H O’Hare 73) D Parks (R Jackson 72), M McMillan (C Gregor 66), K Tkachuk, F Thomson (D Hall 54), M Low (E Kalman 72), T Barker, A Kellock, captain (D Turner 72), J Eddie (R Vernon 8), J Beattie ˜, K Brown.

Scorers — tries: B Stortoni, D van der Merwe, C Shaw; penalties: D Parks (4).

Newport Gwent Dragons: M Thomas, W Harries, M Watkins (R Gomer-Davies 54), T Riley, R Fussell, J Tovey (J Arlidge 75), W Evans, H Gustafson, T Willis (captain), P Palmer (B Castle 54), R Sidoli, L Charteris (H MacDonald 40), A Coombs, T Faletau, G Thomas.

Scorers — try: W Harries; conversion: J Arlidge; penalties: J Tovey (4).

Referee: Alan Lewis (Ireland).

Attendance: 2,621.

Argus star man: Jason Tovey.