Glasgow Warriors denied as Brandon Thomson hits post with last-gasp conversion

Glasgow’s hopes of recording back-to-back wins for the first time this season were dashed at Scotstoun in agonising fashion in the last kick of the game to give the Dragons a 23-22 victory.

Glasgow's Brandon Thomson misses a last-minute conversion which would have give the Warriors victory over the Dragons at Scotstoun. Picture: Ross MacDonald / SNS

When substitute hooker Johnny Matthews ploughed over the line in stoppage time, all Brandon Thomson had to do was convert from pretty much straight in front of the posts. Instead, his kick came crashing back off the upright, and the Dragons had won in Scotland for the first time in seven years.

Tries from Fotu Lokotui on his first start and Sean Kennedy helped Glasgow to a 14-10 half-time lead in the Pro14 game – the last before the start of the Champions Cup pool stages – but Dragons were the stronger team in the second half and thoroughly deserved their victory.

It was the visitors who took an early lead when Jared Rosser burst through in midfield to touch down close to the posts. Stand-off Sam Davies converted.

The Warriors came close to scoring a try of their own after ten minutes, and were only prevented by illegal play from Harrison Keddie. The back-row forward was sent to the bin, but Glasgow were unable to capitalise, choosing to scrum the penalty but being held at bay before themselves offending. It was an opportunity lost, and they were unable to create another before Keddie returned to the field.

Dragons went back on to the front foot, and after 27 minutes a Davies penalty took their lead into double figures after Lokotui had offended. But then they had a second man yellow-carded – Jack Dixon, for a shoulder-charge on Nick Grigg – and this time the Warriors did take advantage, Lokotui finishing off from the lineout after the penalty had been sent to touch. Pete Horne added the two points, and did so again moments later after Kennedy had scored his team’s second try after getting up in support of a Grigg break.

Matawalu came within metres of a third try right on half-time, but he was stopped short, so 14-10 it stayed at the break.

Dragons regained the lead when Brok Harris drove over from close range and Davies converted. A Horne penalty then made it 17-17, but Davies soon replied in kind to nudge his team ahead again, then added a drop goal to make it 17-23. Glasgow still had 20 minutes in which to chase down that deficit, but they were handicapped when Lee Jones was binned for a deliberate knock-on. Substitute Ratu Tagive was lucky not to follow him after taking a man out in the air. The Warriors had a late chance with minutes to spare, but after a penalty went to touch, Johnny Matthews threw long and the Dragons mopped it up. The hooker thought he had made amends when he crashed over in stoppage time, but then came Thomson’s miss.