Cardiff staged a remarkable fight-back in a pulsating final quarter to claim a narrow 17-14 victory over Newport and shoot down their Welsh/Scottish League title hopes.

Newport had led 14-0 early in the second half following a splendid unconverted try by right-wing Matt Mostyn.

But Cardiff had the matching-winning pace behind the scrum. Outside half Iestyn Harris, who had kicked a 58th minute penalty, converted wing Anthony Sullivan's try five minutes later.

Then Harris, who had had a very ordinary game up to this point, carved out an opening which ended with centre Jamie Robinson sprinting 40 metres for a vital touchdown in the 73rd minute which Harris converted.

The game ended in uproar as the large crowd howled their disapproval at a string of controversial decisions made by referee Clayton Thomas.

Playing with a strong wind at their backs from the kick-off, Newport realised they needed to convert pressure into points early on.

In the first 11 minutes Newport played like tigers, but centre Jonathan Pritchard and twice Shane Howarth crossed the Cardiff line, only to be recalled for earlier infringements.

Howarth eventually opened the scoring in the 23rd minute with a wide angled penalty and four minutes later he added a short range drop goal.

Cardiff tried to break out of the strangle-hold with some powerful forward surges but Howarth slammed over another penalty from 37 metres in the 32nd minute to increase Newport's lead to 9-0 - a score which they held at the interval.

Cardiff's discomfort was increased in the 38th minute when Sullivan was sin-binned for deliberately knocking on to stop a promising Newport passing movement.

But he more than made amends with his try in the second half.