THE Dragons suffered an 18-15 defeat to Benetton in the Guinness PRO14. Here are five things from the clash at Rodney Parade.

1: The wait goes on

It’s been a horror run without a victory in the PRO14 and the record of just two wins this season is shocking.

They should have won for the first time since September after enjoying a superb start against Benetton but the error count was far, far too high.

It was one of the most frustrating defeats for many a season and such a deflating afternoons are testing the patience of Dragons supporters.

Promises about 2018/19 being better are all well and good but the present is hard to swallow with only the Southern Kings worse than the Rodney Parade region, and they will be eyeing a first win when the teams meet in South Africa next month.

2: Kirchner woe

The Dragons just about got away with playing Zane Kirchner at fly-half against Saracens, Worcester and Glasgow but it all went horribly wrong for the former Springboks full-back against the Italians.

He plays flat and poses some questions with ball in hand but lacks the control of a proper 10 and he endured a kicking nightmare.

Kirchner failed to land a shot at goal, was charged down for a seven-pointer and missed with a penalty to touch that would have given the Dragons a chance to stretch away with their driving lineout.

The Bok deserves to play either 15 or 13 against Edinburgh. He should only be a fly-half in the biggest of emergencies and yesterday wasn’t that given that Dorian Jones was playing for Ebbw Vale again on Saturday.

3: Dyer shows raw talent

Teenage winger Rio Dyer caught the eye on his PRO14 debut, showing in the first minute his incredible speed in the build-up to Jared Rosser’s opener.

The Wales Under-20s international is raw but showed great enthusiasm, sadly mostly under the high ball or chasing kicks.

Dyer was up against Monty Ioane but acquitted himself well and is another promising wing to get a taste of pro rugby this season after George Gasson, Rosser and Joe Goodchild.

4: Driving force

The Dragons once again posed plenty of problems with their well-drilled driving lineout with Liam Belcher, who had a strong all-round game, scoring a brace after hitting his men with the throw.

Their excellent in that facet of the game made it all the more frustrating that Kirchner failed to find touch with a penalty in the second half; Belcher could well have had a hat-trick and it could well have been a five-point haul.

The Dragons have confidence in their driving lineout and it’s just as well, because at the moment their attacking game isn’t quite clicking.

5: No time for wallowing

The Dragons have a six-day turnaround to a game against an Edinburgh team that are in a tussle with Ulster for the final play-off berth in Conference B.

Richard Cockerill’s side will start Friday’s clash in Ebbw Vale as favourites but the Dragons have to give the Scots a bloody nose at the very least.

Conditions at Eugene Cross Park could be something of a leveller and the hosts need to channel the frustration from Benetton. They need to be better in all aspects of the game if they are to end their winless PRO14 streak at 10 games.