Dragons 11 Connacht 13:Connacht secured their first win in Wales since 2004 with a 13-11 victory over the Newport-Gwent Dragons that keeps their hopes of Heineken European Cup rugby next season alive.

Johnny O'Connor powered over from close range to level the scores at 11-11, before Andy Dunne's conversion sealed the two point win that moves Connacht to within four points of rivals Ulster.

The Dragons garnered a bonus point from the result that moves them one ahead of Matt Williams' side, but their sixth defeat in a row was greeted by boos from the home crowd.

The result will keep Ulster looking over their shoulder but victory in Cardiff tomorrow would send them ahead of the Dragons by at least three points.

Connacht had to win for any mathematical chance of catching Ulster above them and securing a prized Heineken place for next season, but, by half-time, it looked like they would still be playing European Challenge Cup rugby next season as the Dragons led 11-6.

The home side led 8-0 after 20 minutes through a penalty from outhalf Ceri Sweeney and a gift of a try from a sloppy Adrian Flavin lineout throw on his own line for number eight Michael Owen.

They were careless themselves, however, and allowed Connacht's Kiwi stand-off Troy Nathan to bring his team back into the match with a couple of simple penalties.

When Connacht were caught offside 30 metres from their posts on the stroke of half-time Sweeney booted a straight-forward penalty to increase the Dragons' advantage.

Connacht defended well with fullback Gavin Duffy and scrumhalf Connor McPhillips both making decisive tackles out wide either side of the interval.

As the game reached the hour mark, both Nathan and Sweeney missed penalty chances.

McPhillips also came to Connacht's rescue a couple of times as the Dragons turned the screw, finding holes in the defence and battering their opposition, chiefly through the pack led by skipper Colin Charvis.

However the Dragons could not make their territorial second half advantage tell. Sweeney and prop Rhys Thomas went close, as did Owen, but mistakes let them down.

And they were further frustrated as a brilliant tackle from Duffy prevented Sweeney scoring a solo try under the posts as he cut through the middle of the Connacht defence.

For all their bravery, Connacht deserved one chance of winning the match and, when they reached the Dragons line in the dying moments, flanker O'Connor took it.

He picked up from a ruck to go over to level the scores and the conversion from Dunne sealed a first win in 17 on the road.