Newport Gwent Dragons' perfect record away from home in the Magners League was lost to a resurgent Connacht side.
The Dragons faced a determined Connacht side and a strong wind in the first half and found they had too much to make up for in the second half to secure a win.
Mark McHugh well and truly stuck the boot in The Dragons as he kicked 11 points including the conversion of a first half try using the wind to his full advantage. The visitors failed to use the wind in the second half and missed several try scoring opportunities which would have given them their third consecutive win on the road in the competition.
Connacht used the conditions to their full advantage and McHugh kicked over a huge penalty from 45 metres out and five minutes later slotted a drop goal from the same spot. The Dragons responded with a driving maul but wing Aled Brew was held up over the try line.
Fullback Daniel Riordan sliced through the Dragons' defence and passed to flanker Ray Ofisa who scored a try with McHugh landing the conversion to put the home side 16-0 up at the break.
The Dragons had the wind advantage in the second half and Sweeney kicked three penalties but The Dragons were left with too much to do but did secure a losing bonus point.
