With four wins on the trot, Connacht prevailed in lacklustre game that only came to life in the final 10 minutes as the Welsh side tried desperately to notch their first win in this season's league.

But Connacht's hallmark defence halted Newport's final assault with flanker Johnny O'Connor nailing a superb tackle close to the line and Ted Robinson prevailing in the contest for the high ball.

Connacht's tally of two tries - one in each half - merited this victory as Newport looked for long periods like a team lacking in confidence.

They certainly made life difficult for the home side in the scrum, but they rarely troubled the committed Connacht cover despite he best efforts of scrumhalf Ofisa Tono'u, fullback Matt Pini, and wing Matt Mostyn, making a return to his former home ground for the first time in two seasons.

Connacht went into half time just two points head despite dominating for lengthy periods. However they had little to show for their efforts despite a bright start, creating two try opportunities but failing to finish off.

Outhalf Eric Elwood missed his first kick of the Celtic League with a 13th minute penalty chance.

However Connacht's rewards came after 16 minutes when fullback James Norton scored his first try of the campaign.

The debutant was the grateful recipient of some slick Elwood handling, but, with it still it all to do from 40 metes out, he created the midfield gap, side stepping the defence, and raced in for a worthy try.

Elwood missed the conversion, but he made amends with a 22nd minute penalty to stretch the lead

to 8 - 0 after Newport re-offended in the ruck.

Newport were forced to rely on the boot of Howarth who closed the arrears with two of three penalty attempts late in the half. But once again it was the home side who were more enterprising in attack.

Captain Tim Allnutt had made the hard yards before Elwood's double skip pass found left wing Wayne Munn, and he injected the necessary pace to race in after 46 minutes, with Elwood adding the conversion.

Newport, ever able to penetrate the organised Connacht defence, once again relied Howarth's boot, and he kicked them back into contention with two penalties to close the gap to 15 - 12.

However , able to capitalise on a number of Newport handling errors, Connacht ensured their

victory when Elwood potted a simple effort in front of the posts after linking with Darren Yapp, Tim Allnutt, and replacement flanker Johnny O'Connor.

CONNACHT: J Norton, T Robinson, D Yapp, T Allnutt (cpt), W Munn, E Elwood, C Keane, D McFarland, J Flannery, P Bracken, W Waugh, R Frost, M Swift, C Rigney, J O'Sullivan.

Replacements, EReddan for Keane (49m), J O'Connor for Rigney (50m), R McCormack for McFarland, M Uijs for Flannery (56m), E Peters for Waugh (71m),

Newport: M Pini, M Mostyn, A Marinos, S Williams, A Cadwallader, S Howarth, O Tono'u, R Snow, P Young, C Anthony, M Veater, S Raiwalui, Jason Fursto, G Gravell A Popham. M Voyle for Veater (h/t), A Gravey for Anthony, J Richards for Young(50m)

Referee: R Maybank (England)