Newport's hopes of mounting a strong challenge to league leaders Swansea have nose-dived after this shock defeat.

The Blackened Embers, in second place before the kick-off, were expected to easily account for the Scots.

They had only suffered one previous league defeat this term at Rodney Parade - against arch rivals Cardiff on Boxing Day.

But Glasgow outplayed the Welsh side in a remarkable first-half with impressive fly-half Tommy Hayes orchestrating a string of dangerous attacks.

Lacklustre

Glasgow, with a hardworking pack led by Scottish international hooker Gordon Bulloch, romped over for three good tries to take a surprise 19-6 interval lead against the lacklustre home side.

Replacement full-back Barry Irving finally sealed Newport's fate with a 73rd-minute corner try.

Gary Teichmann and his Newport men will be bitterly disappointed but little went right for them on a wet day when the greasy ball spoiled a number of their passing movements.

Newport soon realised they were in for a hard afternoon because it took them a full nine minutes to gain a foothold in the visitors' territory as they faced the wind and rain in the first half.

Glasgow half-backs Hayes and Stott made good use of the wind advantage and inside half Stott nipped over for the first try from a scrum five metres out in the 15th minute.

Hayes kicked the conversion from wide out.

Rocked

Six minutes later, Hayes hit an upright with a 42-metre penalty attempt.

Newport fly-half Shane Howarth kicked a couple of penalties in the 24th and 29th minute, but Glasgow rocked the home side and their vociferous supporters again.

Wing James McLaren and centre Jonathan Stuart both grabbed further tries after smart attacks with Hayes converting one to give Glasgow a very useful 19-6 interval lead.

The second period was spoiled by too many handling errors but Hayes popped over a 26-metre drop goal in the 50th minute before Irving scored that final clinching try.

Scorers - Newport Pens: Howarth 2.

Glasgow Caledonians Tries: McLaren, Stuart, Stott, Irving. Cons: Hayes 2. Drop Goal: Hayes.

Att: 6,200

Teams -

Newport: M Pini, M Mostyn, J Jones-Hughes, A Marinos, M Watkins, S Howarth, D Burn, C Jones, J Richards, A Garvey, S Raiwalui, I Gough, P Buxton, A Popham, G Teichmann (capt).
Replacements: R Snow, P Young, G Taylor, J Powell, J Pritchard, S Mitchell, D Edwards.

Glasgow Caledonians: Glenn Metcalfe, James McLaren, Alan Bulloch, Jon Stuart, Rory Kerr, Tommy Hayes, Fraser Stott, David Hilton, Gordon Bulloch, Gordon McIlwham, Colin Stewart, Jason White, Gordon Simpson, Gareth Flockhart, Jon Petrie.
Replacements - Gavin Scott, Lee Harrison, Roland Reid, Donnie Macfadyen, Barry Irving, Andrew Henderson.

Referee: H F Lewis.