Newport kept their Welsh/Scottish League title hopes alive but made desperately hard work of beating a well-below strength Pontypridd team on Wednesday night.

The Black and Ambers now need Cardiff to beat Llanelli on Friday night and then get the better of Bridgend in their final match 24 hours later to lift the title, although tries scored may prove a factor.

It was an edgy Newport performance, full of errors, and the home side were unable to pull clear of a resilient Pontypridd team until near the end.

Ponty stung Newport by leading 13-10 at half-time, with wing Gareth Wyatt scoring a superb solo try and Nicky Little kicking two penalties and a conversion.

Matt Pini had dropped a soaring first-minute goal, then flanker Jason Forster bagging a try that was converted by Shane Howarth.

Newport then eased into the lead when winger Ben Breeze swept over after a set-piece move with Howarth, who converted and then added a penalty.

But Ponty came again with a try by replacement centre Sonny Parker to set the Rodney Parade nerves jangling once more.

Ireland international Matt Mostyn pounced for his 15th try of the season for Newport, converted by Howarth, but Ponty hit back again with a blindside try by scrum-half Gareth Baber.

Newport replacement fly-half Jason Strange struck a post and an upright with a penalty and drop goal.

But the Black and Ambers finally settled it in injury time with their fourth and best try by number eight Andy Powell, converted by Howarth.

Newport: M Pini; E Lewis, M Mostyn, M Watkins, B Breeze; S Howarth, L Lane; R Snow, J Richards, C Anthony, S Raiwalui (capt), I Gough, P Buxton, J Forster, A Powell.
Reps: C Jones, P Young, M Voyle, G Gravell, S Williams, J Strange, M Thomas.

Pontypridd: A Lawson; G Wyatt, S James, J Lewis, N Simpson; N Little, G Baber; D Bell, M Rees, S Cronk, R Sidoli, D McIntosh (capt), M Lloyd, R Field, C Harris.
Reps: P John, C Sweeney, S Parker, M Davies, Hennessey, G Remnant, M Cockbain.

Referee: Paul Adams (WRU).