NEWPORT Gwent Dragons were condemned to a first home defeat of the Guinness Pro12 after failing to build on a strong start against Ulster.

The Irish title hopefuls triumphed at Rodney Parade for the first time in three seasons after fighting back from an early 9-0 deficit.

The Dragons paid the price for not getting over the whitewash in a bright opening, having to settle for a trio of penalties from fly-half Dorian Jones.

Their profligacy meant that they failed to back up their previous Rodney Parade successes against the Italian pair of Zebre and Treviso, although the performance was probably better than in those wins.

But once again they were left to lament their failure to turn pressure into points in the 22 and their season was summed up by the closing stages when they hammered away at the Ulster line only to be denied by the Irish side’s strong defence.

Cool heads were needed in the ‘red zone’ and captain Rynard Landman will play the moment when he failed to give the ball to unmarked fellow lock Matthew Screech down the right when attempting to salvage a draw at the death over in his head time and time again this evening.

With just two tries scored in three home encounters the Dragons will hope to repeat their European efforts of 2014/15 spark their season, and attacking game, into life when Sale visit on Sunday.

The Dragons made an excellent start and were good value for their 3-0 lead courtesy of a Dorian Jones penalty on 10 minutes.

They dominated possession and territory in the opening exchanges and stretched their lead to 6-0 through the right boot of their fly-half on 16 minutes with Ulster centre Stuart McCloskey sin-binned for a trip.

Jones traded penalties with opposite number Paddy Jackson and it was 9-3 on the half hour, the hosts dominating proceedings and negating Ulster’s notoriously strong kicking game.

However, the Irish province grew into the game and their number 10 made it 9-6 five minute before the break after a patient attack inside the hosts’ 22.

Defences were on top and the Dragons having to settle for a three-point lead, an advantage that really should have been more comfortable after their early efforts.

The rain arrived during the interval and Ulster started strongly in the greasy conditions with a super defensive effort by scrum-half Sarel Pretorius preventing Ireland centre Darren Cave from sliding over.

However, captain Rynard Landman was sin-binned for not rolling away and Ulster piled on the pressure, opting for scrums rather than levelling the score.

It was a decision that backfired, the Dragons clearing their lines to great acclaim from the Hazell Terrace.

But Ulster got their noses in front for the first time after the hosts shot themselves in the foot when wing Nick Scott kicked the ball straight out after it had been carried into the 22.

The visitors laid siege to the line and scrum-half Paul Marshall sniped over for a try that Jackson converted for a 13-9 lead with half an hour left.

The Dragons rallied but rather than narrowing the gap to a point opted to go the corner only for the lineout to be well defended by the Irish then an attack from the resulting five-metre scrum to fizzle out with an Adam Warren knock-on.

The hosts showed defensive steel to keep their visitors pinned inside the 22 and reaped the rewards when replacement full-back Jason Tovey knocked over a penalty with Ireland stalwart Rory Best yellow-carded for going off his feet.

Jackson wasted a glorious chance to swiftly strike back when he shanked a penalty but he made no mistake with 10 minutes left to leave the Dragons needing a try.

And the visitors made light of their man disadvantage to stretch further away through the right boot of their fly-half after they dismantled the Dragons scrum on halfway.

But back came the hosts and it took some desperate defence to deny captain Landman, who was held up over the line with two minutes left.

The Dragons had a five-metre scrum and then, after a penalty, a driving lineout, to try and scramble a draw.

Alas, Ulster defended desperately and Lyn Jones’ side had to settle for a losing bonus point.

Dragons: C Meyer (J Tovey 27), A Hewitt, A Hughes (R Wardle 72), A Warren, N Scott, D Jones, S Pretorius (C Davies 62), B Stankovich (P Price 68), E Dee (R Buckley 68), S Knight (B Harris 51), C Hill (M Screech 68), R Landman (captain), E Jackson (L Evans 62), O Griffiths, T Faletau.

Scorers: penalties – D Jones (3), J Tovey

Ulster: P Nelson, R Scholes, D Cave, S McCloskey, S Arnold (C Gilroy 59), P Jackson, P Marshall (R Pienaar 56), K McCall, R Herring (captain, R Best 53), W Herbst (R Lutton 66), D Tuohy, F van der Merwe (L Stevenson 74), R Diack, C Henry, C Mulholland (S Reidy 68, R Herring 70-72).

Scorers: try – P Marshall; conversion – P Jackson; penalties – P Jackson

Referee: Dudley Phillips (Ireland)

Attendance: 4,483

Argus star man: Ollie Griffiths