The wait for league success over champions Leinster on home soil continued in cruel fashion after a narrow 24-10 defeat in the BKT United Rugby Championship at Rodney Parade.
High-flying Leinster have not tasted defeat in Newport since 2016 but they were given a huge scare after a brave and spirted display by the Men of Gwent.
Dragons – without five key players on duty with Wales – led at the break courtesy of a try from Matthew Screech.
Then in the most dramatic ending, Dragons pounded the visiting line in the final ten minutes and were left aggrieved at late calls.
A late score from South African powerhouse RG Snyman denied the home side even a losing bonus point - that few could argue they didn’t deserve.
Number Eight Mackenzie Martin returned for Dragons in the back row while Seb Davies was named in the second row.
A new-look front row saw Robert Hunt, Oli Burrows and Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths pack down.
Centre David Richards started in midfield while Cai Evans made his first start since January on the wing.
After an impeccably observed moments silence for former Wales international Mike Davies, it was Leinster who were quickly into their work as a scrum penalty saw them kick deep. The visiting forwards went about their work before flanker Alex Soroka was driven over to touch down under a pile of bodies.
Dragons missed the chance to get on the scoresheet when Tinus de Beer saw a sixth penalty come back off the left upright.
Leinster carried strongly to bulldoze into the home 22, with de Beer having to react to a Byrne grubber to put the ball into touch before ball was turned over by solid defence.
A booming de Beer clearance relieved pressure before Evans leapt highest on the flank to claim a steepling kick from Fintan Gunne.
Dragons were having to work hard on the back foot in the first quarter, but the hosts continued to disrupt Leinster ball when the Irish province worked space in the home 22 as Evans secured a huge turnover.
Another powerful surge form Martin and similar run from Screech secured a penalty for offside, and de Beer kicked into the Leinster 22 to mount an attack.
Dragons went for a five-metre lineout instead of the posts, but Leinster stole ball and with it a chance to respond on the scoreboard.
A scrum penalty for Dragons, with Leinster adjudged to have come at the angle, saw O’Brien go to the corner.
The forwards worked another penalty and when another followed soon after the visitors were reduced to 14 with Dairmuid Mangan yellow carded.
Patient play was finally rewarded from close range as Screech touched down on the half hour and De Beer added the extras for the lead.
Leinster were suddenly on the back foot and frantic, with more foul play seeing Scott Penny yellow carded and the visitors down to 13 before the break.
Tiatia made a change at the break as Wyn Jones replaced Kelleher-Griffiths up front before injuries bit again as Levi Douglas and debutant Wills Austin were on within minutes of the restart.
Leinster used muscle to work up close before quick hands freed wing Joshua Kenny to score in the corner. Harry Byrne added the extras for the lead.
O’Brien ate into that lead three minutes later, after Leinster twice failed to roll away in the tackle.
Anderson did well to stop a cross-field kick from Byrne picking out Kenny for a second, but Leinster were beginning to turn the screw as they unloaded the likes of RG Snyman from the bench.
Leinster thought they grabbed a third try as they powered a driving maul over on 52 minutes, only for the score to be chalked off as the ball was held up.
The visitors looked to power over again from close range they were again held up by fierce and spirited home defence.
A third score was then ruled out for an illegal cleanout as Leinster’s indiscipline was punished.
Pressure told when slick handling and forward momentum sent Kenny over in the corner for his second of the night.
Dragons were showing huge heart as Leinster looked to put pace and an offloading game into the final quarter as they continued to unload the tackles and stand firm.
O’Brien booted deep to set up an attack and when Leinster spilled the home side hammered line to a deafening roar from the terraces.
A late contentious decision – no penalty after a lengthy TMO for a tackle close to the line – let Leinster clear their lines.
And to rub salt in the wound it was Snyman who hacked a loose ball over to settle the result and break home hearts.
Timeline:
04m Soroka t 0-5
31m Screech t De Beer c 7-5
44m Kenny t Byrne c 7-12
47m O’Brien p 10-12
59m Kenny t 10-17
77m Snyman t Byrne c 10-24
Dragons RFC: Angus O’Brien, Cai Evans, David Richards, Aneurin Owen, Huw Anderson, Tinus de Beer (E. Rosser 64), Rhodri Williams; Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths (Jones 40), Oli Burrows (Austin 43), Robert Hunt (James 71), Seb Davies (Lewis-Hughes 30), Matthew Screech, Ryan Woodman (Douglas 41), Thomas Young, Mackenzie Martin
Replacements: Will Austin, Wyn Jones, Owain James, Levi Douglas, Shane Lewis-Hughes, Niall Armstrong, Joe Westwood, Ewan Rosser
Leinster Rugby: Jimmy O’Brien, Joshua Kenny, Hugh Cooney, Ciarán Frawley, Jordan Larmour, Harry Byrne, Fintan Gunne; Jack Boyle, Gus McCarthy, Thomas Clarkson, Brian Deeny, Diarmuid Mangan, Alex Soroka, Scott Penny, Max Deegan
Replacements: John McKee, Jerry Cahir, Rabah Slimani, RG Snyman, Josh Ericson, Luke McGrath, Charlie Tector, Ruben Moloney
Referee: Morne Ferreira (SARU, 19th game)
Attendance: 4,244
