NEWPORT Gwent Dragons suffered more Heineken Cup heartache when they were pipped by Bath at Rodney Parade yesterday, a result which puts the West Country team in the driving seat in Pool Five after Glasgow’s staggering win in Toulouse on Saturday.

The Dragons fought back spiritedly from an 8-0 half-time deficit to lead 12-8, but despite a stirring late rally they couldn’t quite make it and had to be content with yet another losing bonus point.

The Dragons, under the cosh for much of the first half, had the better of the second period and snatched two tries, Richard Fussell grabbing his fifth in four games, but it wasn’t enough.

The home pack put in a mighty effort, Hoani MacDonald outstanding while Jason Tovey again showed his promise at full back but the Dragons now need to repeat their recent victory in Glasgow next Sunday if they are to avoid bottom place in their group.

Bath had the wind advantage, but almost immediately centre Eliota Fuimaono was limping and though struggling out on the wing he wasn’t needed as Bath attacked down the middle and then spread the ball right where wing Joe Maddock, who had moved into the centre, eased over for a try which Butch James failed to convert.

Ex-Kiwi rugby league ace Shontayne Hape replaced Fuimaono after six minutes, but the Dragons hit back with a neat chip by James Arlidge and when he regathered Steve Jones and Rhys Thomas combined before Adam Black chipped neatly to the corner.

James cleared his lines, but Bath came again and James kicked through to within five yards of the home line where the Dragons pack drew loud applause, winning a turnover after a succession of scrums near their own line.

Wing Richard Fussell broke through up the middle and Grant Webb, revelling in the heavy conditions, carried well.

Then Fussell made inroads after catching an intended Nick Abendanon kick ahead, but acting captain Luke Charteris couldn’t take a difficult pass.

The Dragons suffered a double blow when James kicked a penalty to stretch Bath’s lead and Charteris was yellow carded for preventing release much to the fury of the crowd who cheered sarcastically when referee Clancy finally gave a decision their way.

The game boiled over after a line-out which Bath stole from the Dragons, Justin Harrison and Steve Jones the main culprits but they escaped with a warning.

When Harrison infringed again he amazingly escaped a yellow card, the crowd getting increasingly hostile towards the Aussie veteran.

Charteris returned, the Dragons not conceding a score while he was off, but it was a case of deja vu as opposite number Stuart Hooper was immediately yellow carded for an identical offence.

The Dragons trailed 8-0 at the interval and within three minutes the visitors were down to 13 men when number eight Dan Browne late tackled Wayne Evans.

Almost straight away he Dragons profited when Arlidge chipped the ball over the top and, though initially held, Fussell bounced off a defender and made it to the line.

Arlidge converted to narrow the gap to a point and only a forward pass prevented them taking the lead when Ashley Smith dummied Hape and Rhodri Davies put Gareth Wyatt over, but the referee ruled it out.

Hooper and Browne returned to the fray and Dragons captain Tom Willis, who had been rested from the starting line-up, went on, soon joined by Lewis Evans And it got better for the Dragons as they swept into the lead on the hour. Bath pair Maddock and James Scaysbrook were both caught trying to clear after a neat kick by Jason Tovey and Wayne Evans pounced for an unconverted try.

But it didn’t last long. Bath skipper Alex Crockett broke out of a tackle by Lewis Evans and though Wayne Evans halted Brown going for the line Hooper gathered the offload to make it to the line, James converting.

The Dragons piled on late pressure and Arlidge was just wide with a dropped goal attempt, a miss which sealed heir fate.

Newport Gwent Dragons: J Tovey, G Wyatt, R Davies, A Smith, R Fussell (G Maule 74), J Arlidge, W Evans, A Black, S Jones (T Willis 54), R Thomas, A Jones, L Charteris (captain), H MacDonald, G Webb (L Evans 56), C Charvis (J Ringer 67).

Scorers — tries: R Fussell, W Evans; conversions: J Arlidge.

Bath: N Abendanon, J Maddock, A Crockett (captain), E Fuimaono (S Hape 6), M Banahan, B James, M Claassens (S Bemand 66), D Flatman, L Mears (P Dixon 62), M Stevens (D Bell 62), J Harrison, S Hooper, A Beattie, D Browne, J Scaysbrook (J Faamatuainu).

Scorers — tries: J Maddock, S Hooper; conversions: B James; penalties: James.

Referee: George Clancy (Ireland).

Attendance: 6, 108.