Scrum half Rhodri Williams insisted Dragons would keep the belief and looking forward after the disappointment of drawing 17-17 with Hollywoodbets Sharks at Rodney Parade.
The Men of Gwent almost snatched victory in a breathless finale to the Round Two BKT United Rugby Championship fixture at Rodney Parade.
But there was no fairytale ending as the South Africans hung on to share the spoils in atrocious conditions in Newport.
"We're absolutely gutted - it was one that got away," said Wales scrum-half Williams, who was named player-of-the-match.
"We thought we were going to snatch it at the end. Credit to the boys for sticking at it for all the game in those conditions. But we've got to take those opportunities, I am so disappointed.
"It's up to the half-backs to control it and the forwards were doing well a the end, it just didn't come off.
"There wasn't much pressure on the ball, we were making yards. If we had scored in the corner then nobody would be talking about a drop goal, so you can't look at outcomes too much.
“It shows where we are going that we are so disappointed with a draw against a very good side with a very good forward pack.
"The boys dug in right until the end, and I am absolutely gutted that we didn't finish the job off."
Despite not recording a victory on home soil, Williams took positives from the performance and believe the team can get that win in the coming weeks.
“We have the belief,” he stated. “We know what has gone on in the past, but it is a new season, and we went to a very good Ulster side last week and stressed them at times.
“We know there is plenty to work on, but we have come here and faced very tough conditions against a very good forward pack. Credit to the boys, we stuck at it, we’re just gutted not to win.
“The games keep coming and we have games where we can make a statement coming up.
“We take our learnings, review it and go through the game to get better and get ready for Glasgow.”
The boys dug in right until the end, and I am absolutely gutted that we didn't finish the job off...
