LOOSEHEAD Boris Stankovich says Newport Gwent Dragons’ improvement will be derailed if they don’t sort out their indiscipline.

After a tricky start to the season the Rodney Parade region have made great strides in recent weeks, winning 8 of 12 games in all competitions.

However, they were left to lament one that got away against Connacht last Sunday when the Irish province triumphed 30-25 in Newport.

The game was in the balance until the closing stages despite the Dragons playing for 66 minutes with 14 men after captain Rynard Landman’s red card for an off-the-ball elbow.

It came hot on the heels of the Dragons stunning Guinness Pro12 champions Leinster in Dublin despite yellow cards for back row forward Nick Crosswell and hooker Rhys Thomas.

With a European Rugby Challenge quarter-final looming against Cardiff Blues, Stankovich says they cannot afford to allow their bid for silverware to be hindered by spells down to 14.

“We had two yellow cards against Leinster and then the red card against Connacht,” said the experienced loosehead. “If we want to be serious about things and win stuff we can’t afford to have indiscipline like that.

“Rynard was disappointed with himself and the red card meant everybody had to work twice as hard.

“You can’t fault us for spirit, the boys gave everything but we were disappointed because we wanted to build from Leinster.

“We’ve got Zebre on Sunday and go there to get a result and need the same mentality as Leinster.”

Stankovich played 78 minutes against Connacht on his first start for three months.

The former Leicester man suffered cartilage damage to his right knee against the Ospreys in November and then suffered an infection.

The 34-year-old will be a key figure in the coming weeks and months and was glad of the workout.

“I was blowing there! There’s nothing worse than going to training and doing rehab all day,” he said.

“It was difficult because the red card changed the dynamics of the game, we were up against it and had to work twice as hard.

“We were happy with how the set piece went even though we had seven versus eight at the scrum for most of the game... we did have a back on there (Jack Dixon) but unfortunately backs can’t push anyway!”

- The Pro12 disciplinary hearing into Landman’s dismissal is on Friday morning with the Dragons man joined in the dock by Glasgow’s Leone Nakawara (striking an opponent with his head) and Ulster’s Stuart McCloskey (dangerous tackle).