Llanelli kept up their title challenge thanks to a 45-metre drop goal from substitute outside-half Stephen Jones in the fifth minute of injury time.

Defeat was a bitter blow for Ponty, who looked set to record their first home win of the season.

In a scrappy, untidy first half Llanelli made a fine start, taking the lead in the third minute with an easy 22-metre penalty from outside-half Gareth Bowen after Ponty were caught offside from a line-out.

Ponty came more in the action and after much pressure Ceri Sweeney levelled with a 40-metre kick.

The home side were now in the driving seat, setting up attacking moves to stretch the Scarlets defence.

In the closing stages of the half centre Neil Boobyer hoisted Llanelli ahead with a 20-metre drop goal but within minutes Sweeney responded with a second penalty.

But in injury time poor defence let in Salesi Finau for a try converted by Bowen to give the Scarlets a 13-6 advantage.

In the second half, Sweeney cut the gap with an early penalty and minutes later after Llanelli's Phil Booth was sin-binned for killing the ball Sweeney slotted over his fourth kick.

Bowen increased Llanelli's lead with a 38-metre penalty in teh 60th minute but then Ponty took the lead for the first time when a break in midfield by John Colderley let in Richard Parks for a try.

In the closing minutes Sweeney missed two penalties for Ponty and in injury time Jones dropped the goal to give the Scarlets the verdict.

Pontypridd: C Williams; G Wyatt, S Parker, J Colderly, D Feaunati; C Sweeney, P John; G Jenkins, M Davies, D Bell, N Kelly, B Cockbain, D McIntosh, R Parks, M Owen.
Replacements: Baber, Lawson, Johnson, M Rees, Field, J Griffiths, Senara.

Llanelli: M Cardey; G Evans, N Boobyer, L Davies (capt), S Finau; G Bowen, D Peel; P Booth, M Thomas, M Madden, S Morgan, C Gillies, D Jones, I Boobyer, D Hodges.
Replacements: J Davies, R McBryde, L Gross, S Easterby, G Easterby, S Jones.

Referee: Nigel Whitehouse (WRU)