Glasgow’s Heineken Cup hopes were left hanging by a thread after slumping to a 22-14 defeat to Newport Gwent Dragons at Rodney Parade.

After an opening round defeat at home to Biarritz, Sean Lineen’s team will now probably need to win their remaining four games if they are to top the group

And for a team that has struggled to reach the knockout stages of European rugby’s premier competition it will represent a golden opportunity wasted if they failed to get out of what was undoubtedly the Heineken Cup’s most open pool.

The Dragons went ahead on 12 minutes when second row Adam Jones was driven over from a close range lineout before John Beattie hit back for Glasgow.

James Arlidge stuck a drop goal for the home side to take them 10-7 ahead and the lead was extended when captain Luke Charteris ran home.

On the stoke of halftime the Dragons more or less wrapped up the match when a beautiful team move was ended when Martin Thomas latched onto a kick ahead.

Glasgow did mount a fightback after the break but despite replacement Kevin Tkachuk’s try, they were kept out by a stubborn Dragons defence.