Four-try Connacht back at the summit

That meant first-half scores for visiting Matt Healy and Tiernan O'Halloran were cancelled out, but while the hosts could only add two Angus O'Brien penalties after the break Connacht had no trouble crossing the whitewash.

They did so through Eoghan Masterson and Bundee Aki to secure the bonus point and a return to the summit of the Pro12, while Newport Gwent Dragons' run of winless games against Connacht stretches to seven.

Both sides showed good attacking intent from the off but it wasn't until the tenth minute that the first points were scored, Tovey splitting the posts after Aki was pinged at the breakdown five metres out.

This lead to some steady attacking from the hosts but in their first foray down the other end of the pitch Connacht proved to be clinical as John Muldoon's inside pass saw winger Healy race over for the game's first try, Craig Ronaldson adding the extras.

But the Dragons responded straight away with a score of their own, Hughes charging down a Caolin Blade attempted clearance before pouncing on his own hack forward to dot down.

With Tovey coming off injured and being replaced by O'Brien, Geraint Rhys Jones lined up the conversion but sent his effort wide.

With just over half the first 40 gone Connacht found themselves back in front after kicking to the corner following a scrum penalty. The Dragons defended the line-out well but the visitors spread the ball out wide and full-back O'Halloran was on hand to dot down on the left.

Ronaldson nailed the tough touchline conversion but the Dragons struck back almost immediately again, this time showing good hands among the forwards before Elliot Dee sent wing Hewitt over.

This time O'Brien converted and the Dragons held a narrow one-point lead after half an hour, one they kept up to half-time.

They stretched this lead moments into the second half as Rodney Ah You was pinged for charging with his shoulder, O'Brien slotting the penalty.

The Dragons kicked the next couple of penalties to the corner but after Connacht held firm O'Brien adding another three points at the third time of asking on 55 minutes.

With an hour gone Newport Gwent Dragons appeared comfortable at 21-14 but Connacht came roaring back as Masterson touched down from a powerful maul, although Ronaldson sent his conversion wide.

But Connacht did go ahead shortly after as Aki grabbed try number four for the visitors when he powered over from close range, this time Ronaldson adding the extras for a 26-21 lead with ten minutes remaining.

And despite some late Dragons pressure that is how it remained as Pat Lam's side climbed back into first place in the Pro12 table.

The scorers:

For Newport Gwent Dragons:

Tries: Hughes, Hewitt

Con: O'Brien

Pens: Tovey, O'Brien 2

For Connacht:

Tries: Healy, O'Halloran, Masterson, Aki

Cons: Ronaldson 3

Teams:

New Port Dragons: 15 Carl Meyer, 14 Ashton Hewitt, 13 Adam Hughes, 12 Adam Warren, 11 Nick Scott, 10 Jason Tovey, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Nick Crosswell, 7 Nic Cudd, 6 Ben White, 5 Rynard Landman (captain), 4 Matthew Screech, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Elliot Dee, 1 Phil Price.

Replacements: 16 Rhys Buckley, 17 Boris Stankovich, 18 Shaun Knight, 19 Cory Hill, 20 James Benjamin, 21 Charlie Davies, 22 Angus O'Brien, 23 Geraint Rhys Jones.

Connacht: 15 Tiernan O'Halloran, 14 Danie Poolman, 13 Bundee Aki, 12 Craig Ronaldson, 11 Matt Healy, 10 AJ MacGinty, 9 Caolin Blade, 8 Eoghan Masterson, 7 Jake Heenan, 6 John Muldoon (captain), 5 Aly Muldowney, 4 George Naoupu, 3 Rodney Ah You, 2 Tom McCartney, 1 Denis Buckley.

Replacements: 16 Dave Heffernan, 17 Ronan Loughney, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 Ultan Dillane, 20 Eoin McKeon, 21 Kieran Marmion, 22 Peter Robb, 23 Rory Parata.

Referee: David Wilkinson (Ireland)

Assistant referees: Dan Jones (Wales), Simon Rees (Wales)