Newport's Welsh-Scottish League title hopes suffered a setback on Wednesday night as third-placed Neath rolled them over at Rodney Parade.

Tries during the final 20 minutes from centre Dave Tiueti, scrum-half Patrick Horgan and hooker Barry Williams condemned Newport to their first home league defeat of the season.

Newport still have a game in hand on leaders Llanelli, and are just two points behind the Scarlets, but they must now pick themselves up quickly for Saturday's testing trip to Swansea.

Neath, for whom Welsh international forwards Williams and Brett Sinkinson produced huge performances, pulled away during the final quarter.

Four penalties and a drop goal by fly-half Lee Jarvis kept them in the hunt at 15-15 before they staged a scintillating finish.

Jarvis' 65th-minute kick bounced awkwardly inside Newport's 22, and home wing Matthew Watkins' defensive hesitancy allowed Tongan international Tiueti to grab the ball and dive over.

Just seven minutes later, an irresistible Neath line-out drive scattered Newport's defence in all directions, allowing Horgan to finish off the job.

Although Newport wing Matt Mostyn claimed an injury-time touchdown following Wales' centre Andy Marinos' break, it was too little, too late, and Neath still had the final word.

With Newport supporters drifting disconsolately out of the ground, the home side couldn't cope under the weight of more Neath forward pressure, and it was Williams who administered the final blow.

Jarvis finished with 21 points from a drop goal, four penalties and three conversions as Neath kept alive their championship chances.

The home side led 9-6 at half-time, Shane Howarth kicking three penalties before going off injured during the break.