SCRUM-HALF Richie Rees believes Newport Gwent Dragons gutsy performance in Glasgow was a step in the right direction ahead of a vital month.

The Rodney Parade region ended a two-month Guinness Pro12 drought when they picked up a losing bonus point in the 19-15 loss at Scotstoun Stadium.

The Dragons headed north on the back of an embarrassing 38-12 home defeat to Munster but showed more steel to earn a consolation despite being under huge pressure at the scrum.

They still sit one-from-bottom of the table but Rees is hopeful that the display is a sign of better times ahead in five eminently winnable games.

"Compared to where we've been in the last few weeks that was an improvement," he said. "We didn't come away with the victory but the performance was there and we've just got to keep building.

"As a back line it's hard when you are playing off back-foot ball but the boys are trying at the scrum and are working hard to improve and that's all we can ask of them.

"Now it's a big month for us with Bucharest (in the European Rugby Challenge Cup), Zebre and Cardiff Blues back-to-back (in the Pro12). We are building towards that."

Andrew Coombs, who came on after 17 minutes when lock Rynard Landman suffered a blow to the head, praised the effort but admitted more work is needed at the set piece.

He said: "We worked hard for 80 minutes. We did not get the result that we hoped for and we are disappointed, but that is rugby for you. We had a few good scrums and some bad ones, we have to be more consistent."

A bonus-point win would have put Glasgow level with leaders Munster but Warriors boss Gregor Townsend was content to avoid a repeat of last season's shock loss to the Dragons.

"I am very pleased with the four points because the Dragons are a really tough team to play against," said the former fly-half/centre, whose side have now gone a year without a Pro12 loss at Scotstoun Stadium.

"We put a huge effort in, especially at the end (when repelling a 23-phase attack), to get the win."