James Benjamin grabbed a try on his 100th appearance but it was Glasgow Warriors who gate-crashed the celebrations as they secured a 45-20 bonus point win in the BKT United Rugby Championship.
Hooker Benjamin went over the try line alongside Shane Lewis-Hughes in a tight first half at Rodney Parade.
But in the second period it was the play-off chasing Warriors – who had lost only one of their last seven visits to Newport - who pulled clear to take the spoils.
Filo Tiatia made six changes to his starting line-up with James Benjamin called-up for his 100th game while Harry Wilson, Dane Blacker, Josh Reynolds, George Nott and George Young also got starts.
An early attack from a youthful Dragons side saw Glasgow fly out of the line in defence and give away the penalty for a deliberate knock on that Lloyd Evans knocked over for an early lead.
The Men of Gwent started with plenty of power and drive as they controlled possession and won a scrum penalty to keep the Warriors pinned back.
A huge driving maul saw another penalty and the home side went quickly before Jaes Benjamin bulldozed over and Evans converted for a 10-0 lead.
Glasgow looked to respond but spilled ball saw George Nott hack down the middle of the field and Rio Dyer give chase to a thunderous ovation.
Jared Rosser took a pass behind his pass and showed a clean pair of heels to his opposite number before Blacker, Woodman and Reynolds took ball on.
Dragons were working hard in defence, but the dam finally broke with a kick through falling kindly and replacement Matthews touching down from close range.
Evans added three more from the restart, as the home side worked hard at the breakdown to force an error.
The Warriors won a penalty for themselves from the next restart and Weir went to the corner. The move proved decisive as Jack Mann blasted over for the score.
Within a flash the Warriors were over again with scrum half George Horne the man to finish a long range move as the visitors kept the ball alive and made it count.
Glasgow grabbed a fourth in scrappy fashion as a break and spilled ball saw Weir dive over for the bonus point. Blacker was yellow carded for an infringement in the build-up.
However, Dragons grabbed a lifeline on the stroke of half-time as a chip and chase from Anderson and resulting patience play was rewarded as Lewis-Hughes crashed over and Evans converted for a 20-24 deficit at the break.
Rhodri Jones made his return at the interval, but it was Warriors with ten numerical advantage who struck again minutes into the second period as replacement Nathan MacBeth going over.
Horne then grabbed a sixth away try – and his second of the afternoon - as he cut a nice line to extend the lead.
Scott Williams made his club debut just before the hour, with Wilson moving to full back and Anderson to the wing.
And Dragons continued to look for a way back into the game, with Anderson and Hope looking to spark the team from deep.
But it was Glasgow who held firm and saw the game out with Sebastian Cancelliere also grabbing a late score, to leave Dragons still hunting an elusive home league win.
Timeline:
02m Evans p 3-0
11m Benjamin t Evans c 10-0
23m Matthews t Weir c 10-7
26m Evans p 13-7
29m Mann t 13-12
30m Horne t 13-17
38m Weir t Weir c 13-24
40m Lewis-Hughes t Evans c 20-24
42m MacBeth t Weir c 20-31
47m Horne t Weir c 20-38
74m Cancelliere t Weir c 20-45
Dragons RFC: Huw Anderson, Rio Dyer, Harry Wilson, Aneurin Owen, Jared Rosser (Williams 57), Lloyd Evans (Reed 67), Dane Blacker (Hope 57); Josh Reynolds (Jones 40), James Benjamin (Coghlan 22), Chris Coleman (Latu 62), Joe Davies (Langton-Cryer 50), George Nott, Ryan Woodman, George Young (Minto 50), Shane Lewis-Hughes
Replacements: Brodie Coghlan, Rhodri Jones, Paula Latu, Barny Langton-Cryer, Evan Minto, Che Hope, Will Reed, Scott Williams
Glasgow: Josh McKay, Sebastian Cancelliere, Ollie Smith, Duncan Munn, Facundo Cordero, Duncan Weir, George Horne; Jamie Bhatti, Grant Stewart, Fin Richardson, Jare Oguntibeju, Alex Samuel, Euan Ferrie, Henco Venter, Jack Mann
Replacements: Johnny Matthews, Nathan McBeth, Patrick Schickerling, Ally Miller, Angus Fraser, Macenzzie Duncan, Ben Afshar, Kerr Johnston
Referee: Peter Martin (IRFU, 5th game)
Attendance: 4,109
