Glasgow are not in a position to worry about winning pretty, any win at all is gratefully received in this season of struggle and so it proved in Newport.

Cardiff Blues are playing at the home of their biggest rivals while their pitch is de-commissioned as a hospital, but it was Glasgow who kept building pressure for the whole 80 minutes to deserve this away win.

They got ahead through penalty kicks and then applied the finishing touches with an interception for replacement Huw Jones, but it was scoreboard pressure which forced the home side to play from deep and concede that opportunity.

It was only Glasgow’s second win of the season, both against Welsh opposition, and before kick-off they were rooted to the bottom of their Conference table alongside perennial strugglers Zebre of Italy.

Lock Kiran McDonald had a fair claim as Glasgow’s man-of-the-match, which is an indication of the sort of game it was with defences on top even though both teams spent plenty of time attacking.

“If I’m honest, we should have come away with more points,” said head coach Danny Wilson. “But we are chuffed with the win, the effort from the players and the dominance.

“We went in at half time wondering how we were not ahead more with all the pressure and opportunities, but that has been the story of our season a bit.

“The contact area was a plus, but we needed a win after tough games with the big Irish sides and we got what we needed.

“Huw Jones is the kind of player for those key moments, a game breaker. He had a good read of the situation and that try took the pressure off and allowed us to control the final few minutes.”

Both sides showed real intent, but still found the defences hard to break down. Referee Frank Murphy tried to encourage quick ball from the breakdowns, which led to regular penalties against the side looking to slow the ball down.

Blues outside-half Jarrod Evans landed the first penalty of the game but Glasgow opposite number Peter Horne would reply with two of his own in the first half from breakdowns.

Glasgow had a let off when Blues right-wing Owen Lane appeared to get the game’s opening try, showing quick hands in re-gathering a kick ahead from a turnover, but the move was called back for a knock on thanks to a TMO review.

So Glasgow went into the break ahead by a narrow three-point margin, feeling they had the better of the half but at the same time were fortunate not to be trailing.

Soon into the second half they were behind. Lane was a constant threat on the right wing and he broke

clear following a kick before falling over in the act of re-gathering.

The Blues spread the ball across the pitch with speed through the hands and left- wing Aled Summerhill was able to get the ball back inside for hooker Kristian Dacey to score the try, converted by Evans.

It was a rare breakthrough as Glasgow continued to enjoy plenty of pressure without that cutting edge to break through themselves.

Lock McDonald was prominent in the loose, putting pressure on the Blues defence inside their 22. That pressure was rewarded with penalties for Horne and substitute Brandon Thomson to put the visitors ahead.

The clincher came as the Blues tried to run from deep with time starting to run out.

Debutant back Mason Grady threw a speculative pass picked off by Jones who raced under the posts for the try, easily converted by Thomson to give a comfortable cushion for the closing stage.

Scorers, Cardiff Blues – Try: Dacey. Pen: Evans. Con: Evans.

Glasgow Warriors – Try: H Jones. Pens: Horne 3, Thomson. Con: Thomson.

Cardiff Blues: M Morgan; O Lane, R Lee-Lo, B Thomas (M Grady 57), A Summerhill (H Amos 49); J Evans, T Williams (J Hill 72); B Thyer (C Domachowski 33), K Dacey (Capt, E Lewis 57), D Arhip (K Assiratti 53), B Murphy, R Thornton, J Ratti (S Moore 59), G Bradley (A Lawrence 56) J Turnbull.

Glasgow Warriors: G Bryce, L Jones (H Jones 59), N Grigg (J Dobie 72), R Fergusson (H Jones 29-39), R Tagive, P Horne (B Thomson 59), S Kennedy; A Seiuli (A Allan 61), G Stewart, E Pieretto (D Rae 61), L Bean (F Lokotui56 ), K McDonald, R Harley, T Gordon (TJ Ioane 60), R Wilson (Capt).

Referee: Frank Murphy (IRFU).