European Challenge Cup: Pau 24-21 Dragons - hosts snatch late victory

Dragons lost 27-21 to Pau in last year's Challenge Cup fixture at Rodney Parade

Pau scored in the final play of the game to deny Dragons back-to-back Challenge Cup victories.

The Welsh region had been leading before Theo Attissogbe broke through a gutsy defence in the dying seconds.

Hookers Romain Ruffenach and James Benjamin had exchanged tries, before Thibaut Hamonou gave the hosts a half-time lead.

Dragons hit back through George Young, with Cai Evans kicking well, but they were to be denied at the death.

But they do leave France with a deserved losing bonus point as they turn their attention to the Welsh festive derbies.

Pau registered their first win of the campaign after a heavy opening round defeat to Sharks.

Dragons took advantage of a slow start from the hosts and were 6-0 up inside half an hour thanks to two Evans penalties.

Pau, in contrast, turned down their chances at posts, instead kicking for touch and backing their driving maul from five metres out.

Ruffenach appeared to be tackled before grounding the ball, but he was deemed not to have been held on review and the try was awarded.

Back in the game, Pau failed to switch on at the re-start and with no one staking a claim to the kick, Benjamin took full advantage and raced over the line.

The hooker was a late call-up to the matchday squad after Bradley Roberts withdrew in the warm-up.

Ashton Hewitt thought he had extended Dragons' lead after running in unopposed off lineout ball, but his effort was chalked off for crossing in the build-up.

It was Pau who finished the half the stronger, Dragons were guilty of some poor defending which paved an opportunity for Hamonou to score.

Pau continued to build momentum after the break and again turned down penalties to kick for touch, but their opportunities were wasted.

It was Dragons who scored the first points of the half, Evans with another well-taken penalty to bring the scores level.

Pau decided to change tactics and Axel Desperes kicked them back in front after Dragons were pulled up for offside.

Things then got scrappy and Hewitt made a superb break down his wing to give Dragons some much-needed possession and he nearly scored in the corner after some forward pressure, but was bundled into touch.

Dragons continued to threaten and Pau could do little to stop their lineout driving maul, with replacement Young touching down to set up a dramatic final 10 minutes.

Rallied by their home supporters, Pau threw everything at Dragons and the defence held firm until the final play of the match, when Attissogbe spotted a gap and darted over the line to claim victory.

Pau: Axel Desperes; Aminiasi Tuimaba, Nathan Decron, Jale Vatubua, Thomas Carol; Thibault Debaes, Dan Robson; Facundo Gigena, Romain Ruffenach, Nicolas Corato, Hugo Auradou, Brent Liufau, Mehdi Tlili, Martin Puech, Thibaut Hamonou.

Replacements: Lucas Rey, Paul Tailhades, Siate Tokolahi, Mickael Capelli, Josselin Bouhier, Thomas Souverbie, Emilien Gailleton, Theo Attissogbe.

Dragons: Jordan Williams; Jared Rosser, Steff Hughes (capt), Aneurin Owen, Ashton Hewitt; Cai Evans, Gonzalo Bertranou; Aki Seiuli, James Benjamin, Chris Coleman, Joe Davies, Matthew Screech, Ryan Woodman, Harri Keddie, Taine Basham.

Replacements: Brodie Coughlan, Rodrigo Martinez, Luke Yendle, Sean Lonsdale, George Young, Lewis Jones, Corey Baldwin, Ewan Rosser.

Referee: Federico Vedovelli (Italy)

Assistant referees: Alex Frasson & Manuel Bottino (Italy)

TMO: Stefano Roscini (Italy)