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Wing Aled Brew celebrated his 100th Newport Gwent Dragons appearance with a crucial try in their Pro12 win over Edinburgh at Rodney Parade.

Phil Godman kicked the visitors into an early lead, but Jason Tovey twice struck back before Joe Bedford went over.

Tovey converted and the hosts were 18-3 ahead at the break thanks to Brew's touchdown.

Grant Gilchrist's try gave Edinburgh hope, but Tovey added a penalty.

Brew, who leaves for Biarritz at the end of the season, could have had a higher tally had the Dragons delivered on their first-half promise and registered a bonus-point win.

Edinburgh rarely threatened to break the Dragons' dominance, but when they stirred lock Gilchrist was worked over.

However, by the break Darren Edwards' side were heading towards a win that would take them above Irish province Connacht in the table.

After Tovey's double reply to Godman's early penalty, the Welsh side were never behind even though they were regularly guilty of wasteful indiscipline in the opening period.

That allowed Edinburgh to relieve the pressure, particularly when number eight Gavin Thomas was sin-binned for handling at a ruck in the 11th minute.

However, the visitors were also guilty of an indiscretions that warranted Italian referee Alan Falzone's sin-binning of lock Sean Cox.

In his absence, scrum-half Bedford had the vision to go over at the side of a ruck by diving below lock Jim Thompson's defensive stance.

Samoan centre Andy Tuilagi's powerful midfield runs were a cause of concern for Edinburgh and one such burst paved the way for Brew's try in the 35th minute.

Edinburgh halted Tuilagi a few metres short of the line, but rapid recycling of possession allowed Bedford and full-back Martyn Thomas to combine in sending the erstwhile Wales win over at the corner.

Tuilagi's midfield partner Ashley Smith then sent Brew away, only for the try to be ruled out by Smith's pass being judged forward.

After much effort, largely without direction or poise, Edinburgh eventually found a way through when Gilchrist worked his way over underneath a pile of bodies a try converted by Gregor Hunter.

Smith's chip kick almost brought Brew a second score, but Edinburgh were wise to the threat and Tovey ensured the home win with his third and final penalty in the 65th minute.

TEAMS

Newport Gwent Dragons: Martyn Thomas; Adam Hughes, Andy Tuilagi, Ashley Smith (capt), Aled Brew; Jason Tovey, Joe Bedford; Nathan Williams, Steve Jones, Nathan Buck, Jevon Groves, Rob Sidoli, Lewis Evans, Darren Waters, Gavin Thomas.

Replacements: Lewis Robling for A Smith (61), Phil Price for Nathan Williams (52), Sam Parry for Stephen Jones (73), Dan Way for Nathan Buck (60), Hugo Ellis for Lewis Evans (68), Tom Brown for Darren Waters (52).

Not Used: J Evans, Harries.

Edinburgh: Tom Brown; Sep Visser, Matt Scott, John Houston, Tim Visser; Phil Godman, Chris Leck; Kyle Traynor, Alun Walker, Jack Gilding, Grant Gilchrist, Sean Cox, Stuart McInally, Roddy Grant (capt), Netani Talei.

Replacements: Jim Thompson for Houston (17), Gregor Hunter for Godman (52), Alex Black for Leck (68), Robin Hislop for Traynor (54), Andrew Kelly for Walker (46), UlisesGamboa for Gilding (54).

Not Used: Robert McAlpine, Hamish Watson.

Att: 5,130

Ref: Alan Falzone (Italy).

Assistant Referees: Leighton Hodges, Phil Fear (both WRU)

Citing Commissioner: Jeff Mark (WRU)

TMO: Tony Rowlands (WRU)