NEWPORT Gwent Dragons head coach Darren Edwards hailed his side’s spirit after they dug deep for derby victory against Cardiff Blues at Rodney Parade.

Tonderai Chavhanga’s stunning 72nd-minute try tipped the RaboDirect Pro12 encounter in the Dragons’ favour last night.

The hosts spent much of the second half on the back foot against their play-off chasing rivals, who inched in front in the last quarter before the former Springboks winger’s 40-metre try.

“We won ugly but it was the win that was all important for us,” said Edwards after the 18-14 success that points them level on points with eighth-placed Treviso.

“Going into the last 10 minutes we went and won the game whereas we lost it in that period against Munster (who scored 15 points unanswered points in the last 12 minutes in a 24-14 win).

“We showed resilience and a great attitude to dig deep and they are the ingredients that you want in a team.”

Hooker Steve Jones was forced off in the first half with a ‘stinger’ to his right arm while captain Ashley Smith lasted under an hour before being replaced by Chavhanga.

“He had been up all night with sickness and it was touch and go whether he would make it,” said Edwards. “Full credit to Ashley for getting out there but you could tell he wasn’t quite himself.”

The Dragons are hopeful that Jones will be fully fit for next Friday’s clash with Edinburgh at Murrayfield where they will be boosted by the presence of lock Luke Charteris. His fellow Wales squad members Toby Faletau and Dan Lydiate are likely to be rested.