DIRECTOR of rugby Lyn Jones was left to lament Newport Gwent Dragons’ “Keystone Cops” moments that saw them waste a golden opportunity to take command of their European Rugby Challenge Cup group.

The Dragons stunned Stade Francais 38-22 on opening weekend but failed to back up that Paris win after being downed 30-26 by Newcastle at Rodney Parade.

First half tries by wing Matthew Pewtner, number eight Taulupe Faletau and centre Ashley Smith gave hope of a second bonus-point win of the campaign.

But in the end they were left to rue a pair of tries from charge downs of clearance kicks by Hallam Amos, 10 missed points from the tee and three wasted attacking five-metre lineouts, the final one coming after they had kicked a penalty to the corner in 80th minute.

Jones said: “I'm a bit numb. Individual errors, some of which were Keystone Cops standard, gifted Newcastle 17 points.

“Losing three five-metre lineouts was hugely disappointing; we should have scored at least one of them. The way that went about calling them and deciding what we were going to do was just not good enough.

"The game is about scoring points and not conceding, when you are scoring 26 you’d expect to win at home.

“I’ve got to give Newcastle credit, they were organised, fought hard and worked for the jersey but it’s not the result we were hoping and looking for.

“We are a group that are trying to grow and we need those victories to help that growth. We’ve got to take it on the chin and move forward.”

Newcastle are now in control of Pool Three but the Dragons still have their destiny in their own hands, albeit they need to take maximum points from their December double-header with Bucharest then turn the tables on the Falcons at Kingston Park in January.

But next up is a tricky trip to Ulster in the Guinness Pro12 and their hopes aren’t helped a growing injury list. Captain Lee Byrne limped off in the opening stages against the Falcons and was swiftly joined on the sidelines by fly-half Angus O’Brien after he suffered a bang to the head.

Loosehead Boris Stankovich (back) and lock Andrew Coombs (knee) were late withdrawals from the matchday 23.