Anthony Sullivan scored Cardiff's second try

Neath's Shaun Connor came to his side's rescue with a last-minute penalty to snatch a draw at the Arms Park.

The fly-half then almost grabbed a victory, but his injury-time drop-goal attempt sailed wide of the posts.

Cardiff had looked to have done enough as tries from Craig Morgan, Anthony Sullivan and Dean Dewdney built a 20-14 lead with 20 minutes to go.

But Connor's accurate kicking secured Neath the draw which takes them a point clear at the top of the table.

I thought we should have won Cardiff coach Dai Young

Both sides wasted little time in opening the scoring as fly-halves Iestyn Harris and Connor exchanged early penalties.

Harris, who was released from Welsh training duty for the match, then turned provider to help create two quick-fire tries.

Match details Cardiff (15) 20 Tires: C Morgan, A Sullivan, D Dewdney Cons: Harris Pens: Harris Neath (8) 20 Tries: K James Pens: S Connor (5) Att: 5,000

Morgan grabbed the first on the quarter hour mark and then Sullivan crossed some five minutes later.

Harris' conversion gave Cardiff a healthy 15-3 lead.

But Neath soon hit back as a quickly taken tap penalty led to forceful scoring run from winger Kevin James.

Neath captain Gareth Llewellyn and Cardiff number eight Dan Baugh were sin-binned for fighting as the half drew to a close.

And shortly after the break, Baugh's replacement, Luke Tait received a yellow card for handling the ball in the ruck. It took Cardiff's sin-bin total to 21 for the season.

We failed to show any real quality Neath coach Lyn Jones

Connor added to the punishment by kicking the penalty, and then used the gusty wind to land another from his own half, cutting the gap to a single point.

Former Neath man Dewdney, on as a replacement for Cardiff, scored his side's third try to open what appeared to be a winning margin.

But Neath were not finished, and Connor slotted over another two penalties to level the scores.

Cardiff: Craig Morgan; Nick Walne, Jamie Robinson, Pieter Muller, Anthony Sullivan; Iestyn Harris, Ryan Powell; John Yapp, Peter Rogers, Tim Payne, Heino Senekal, John Tait (capt), Dan McShane, Dan Baugh, Robin Sowden-Taylor.
Reps: Aled Jones, Greg Woods, Adam Jones, Luke Tait, Dean Dewdney, Nick Robinson, Donavan van Vuuren

Neath: Adrian Durston; Kevin James, Allan Bateman, D Tiueti, Shane Williams; Shaun Connor, P Horgan; Paul James, Steve Jones, Adam Jones, Steve Martin, Gareth Llewellyn (capt), Alfie Mocelutu, Steve Tandy, Rowland Phillips.
Reps: James Storey, Shaun Connor, Adam Matthews, Jamie Ringer, Lyndon Bateman, Andy Newman, Andrew Millward.

Referee: Colin Saunders (WRU)