A late fightback fell short as Dragons lost out 24-17 to rivals Cardiff Rugby in a feisty BKT United Rugby Championship derby at Rodney Parade.
The Men of Gwent were always playing catchup despite a first half try from Brodie Coghlan as they visitors pulled clear by the break.
A further away try looked to have put the game to bed before the hosts produced a spirited final 15 minutes.
Co-captain Ben Carter scored eight minutes from time and then Angus O’Brien pulled the team within seven with a penalty with 60 seconds left.
But there was no late heroics as Cardiff took the victory, and Dragons were left to wonder what could have been on home soil.
Attention now turns to Ospreys in eight days and the chance to try and secure a first home win of the season.
Cardiff won a penalty from the kick-off and immediately went to the corner and turned down three points.
The move was justified as they drove over with Alex Mann touching down for the lead.
Rio Dyer unloaded from the start with a huge hit on Cam Winnett as the home side looked to regroup.
De Beer went through a gap and floated out a pass to Fine Inisi before O’Brien was hauled down just short and Cardiff penalised for not rolling away.
The driving maul went close before Cardiff fractured in defence and Coghlan peeled off to score.
Cardiff again opted to go for the corner from a penalty and when they won another they tapped and went before former Dragon Taulupe Faletau went over for a 12-7 lead.
O’Brien cut a superb line to break into the Cardiff 22 from the restart, but the ball to Inisi saw him forced into the sidelines by the cover defence.
Dragons were falling foul of referee Vedovelli in the opening 20 minutes with another penalty for blocking allowing the visitors to again battle up close before Dan Thomas dived over for a third.
Both sides traded kicks at the midpoint of the half as the Men of Gwent looked to force territory and work an opening.
Rob Hunt and Rio Dyer were both forced off around the half hour before a kick in behind, with an advantage, almost paid off as de Beer looked for Owen with a cross-field kick.
De Beer pushed two penalty attempts wide before the break before Beddall swooped for a breakdown win on Sheedy as the home side looked for a way back in.
Ryan Woodman and Matthew Screech were introduced at the start of the second period as hosts strived for an opportunity to close the ten-point gap.
Coghlan ripped ball as the hooker took the game to Cardiff, but the visitors were holding firm and looking to force the issue as they continued to unload big tackles in midfield.
Rhodri Williams got Dragons out of a hole with a neat touch finder after Cardiff broke from deep and hacked ahead.
Cardiff grabbed a try bonus on the hour as Bowen was allowed space to dart inside before Danny Southworth blasted over for a fourth. Ben Thomas converted for a 24-7 lead.
A kick to the corner and drive in field resulted in Ben Carter scoring by the posts and de Beer converted to cut the lead.
O’Brien sat down his man and broke from deep but his kick ahead bounced kindly for Sheedy to mop up danger as the terrace found its voice for a late charge.
But there was no late fightback as a cross-kick field ended the game for the home side.
Timeline:
02m Mann t 0-5
07m Coghlan t de Beer c 7-5
14m Faletau t Sheedy c 7-12
20m Thomas t 7-17
61m Southworth t Thomas c 7-24
72m Carter t de Beer c 14-24
79m O’Brien p 17-24
Dragons RFC: Angus O’Brien, Rio Dyer (Anderson 32), Aneurin Owen, Harri Ackerman, Fine Inisi, Tinus de Beer (Evans 73), Rhodri Williams (Armstrong 62); Wyn Jones (Martinez 55), Brodie Coghlan, Rob Hunt (Lewis 28), Seb Davies (Screech 47), Ben Carter, Shane Lewis-Hughes (Woodman 47), Harry Beddall, Aaron Wainwright
Replacements: Oli Burrows, Rodrigo Martinez, Dillon Lewis, Matthew Screech, Ryan Woodman, Niall Armstrong, Cai Evans, Huw Anderson
Cardiff Rugby: Cam Winnett, Josh Adams, Jacob Beetham, Ben Thomas, Tom Bowen; Callum Sheedy, Aled Davies; Corey Domachowski, Liam Belcher, Keiron Assiratti, Josh McNally, George Nott, Alex Mann, Dan Thomas, Taulupe Faletau
Replacements: Evan Lloyd, Danny Southworth, Javan Sebastian, Rory Thornton, Alun Lawrence, Taine Basham, Johan Mulder, Ioan Lloyd
Referee: Federico Vedovelli (FIR, 17th game)
Attendance: 7,438
