Dragons 23 Connacht 10 NEWPORT Gwent Dragons cemented their place in the top half of the Magners League table with a hard earned victory over Connacht at Rodney Parade on Saturday.

It was difficult in the wet conditions and the Dragons didn't clinch their victory until injury time when No 8 Joe Bearman pounced on a loose ball to dash away for the decisive try.

Bearman, now qualified as a Welshman on residency, was watched by Wales coach Warren Gatland who must also have been impressed by fellow back row forward Dan Lydiate who earned the man-of-the-match award.

A third back row man, openside Jamie Harris, scored the opening Dragons try after 15 minutes. James Arlidge kicked two penalties and a conversion while replacement Shaun Connor landed a penalty and conversion.

The Dragons, already hard hit by injuries, suffered another blow at prop when Gethin Robinson was forced off with a damaged shoulder after 45 minutes.

Watching the Dragons was Gloucester coach Bryan Redpath, but he would have learned little about them ahead of next Friday's Heineken Cuptie, other than the fact that they can slog it out in wet conditions and still win.

It was their third home victory of the season and puts them seven points ahead of rivals the Scarlets in the battle to avoid being bottom Welsh team in the league.