Cian Bohane’s second-half try was enough to ensure Munster scraped past a battling Newport Gwent Dragons 20-16 at Rodney Parade.

A Tyler Bleyendaal penalty and Jean Kleyn’s first try for the Men in Red ensured they stretched out to an early lead, but Welsh international winger Hallam Amos replied with a well-judged interception and Angus O’Brien kicked well to leave the sides inseparable at the break.

Kingsley Jones’ side took the lead immediately after the break, O’Brien and Bleyendaal trading penalties before the young Welsh pivot put the hosts ahead.

Bohane was on hand to finish with just over 20 minutes remaining, earning Rassie Erasmus’ outfit a second win of the Guinness PRO12 campaign as they rebounded from last weekend’s loss to the still unbeaten Cardiff Blues.

Munster struck first, Bleyendaal knocking over a penalty after ten minutes, but O’Brien pulled the hosts level three minutes later.

Kleyn, on his first start for Munster, powered over from close-range and Bleyendaal kicked the conversion, to put the Irishmen 10-3 ahead after 20 minutes.

Welsh winger Amos had been a standout performer for Jones’ men last week as they struggled to victory over Zebre and he was again their go-to man, plucking a fine interception and racing 50 metres to score his first try of the season, which O’Brien converted.

Erasmus’ side looked to have restored their lead, but they were pulled back for an O’Mahony knock on and the two sides went in level at 10-10.

Munster had struggled with handling throughout the first period and it again blighted their play after the break, a knock on handing Dragons a scrum inside the 22 that instigated a period of pressure from the hosts.

O’Brien made that pay on 40 minutes, kicking his second penalty of the evening to move Dragons 13-10 ahead.

It was to be short-lived, Bleyendaal on target from the tee to punish Dragons’ indiscretion at ruck-time.

O’Brien continued to edge Dragons ahead, the 22-year-old firing over a third penalty as the visitors continued to shoot themselves in the foot.

Bohane’s score was the turning point, but the man himself got lucky. Darren Sweetnam looked to have finished well for Erasmus’ side, but he spilled the ball backwards in going over the line, leaving 25-year-old centre the easiest try he is likely to score, Bleyendaal adding the extras for a 20-16 lead.

Newport had time for one final foray, kicking a penalty deep into the Munster 22 and driving for the line, but it was not to be for Jones’s side – though they did claim a losing bonus point.