Corbett Sports Welsh Premier
TNS 3 Port Talbot Town 2
THE New Saints returned to the top of the table by stretching their unbeaten run to 10 games, with victory at home to Port Talbot on Friday night.
The result saw TNS avenge their only defeat of the season at the hands of the Steelmen in the first month of the campaign.
Aeron Edwards tested Polish goalkeeper Bartek Fogler inside the opening seven minutes, before TNS snatched a controversial lead.
With Port Talbot protesting an adjudged foul on Cortez Belle, the hosts broke through Edwards who split the defence for Craig Jones to fire home.
New Zealander Greg Draper was then foiled three times in quick succession as Fogler stood tall for the Steelmen.
Port Talbot suffered a blow near the end off the half with Belle was stretchered off with a torn hamstring.
The visitors started the second-half strongly with former Newtown favourite Dylan Blain blazing over from 12 yards.
At the other end Scott Ruscoe’s left-wing cross was headed over by Jones at the far post before TNS doubled their lead on the hour.
Phil Baker’s long clearance found Draper who linked with Chris Seargeant before his shot was blocked by Fogler, with the loose ball slammed home by veteran Ruscoe.
Draper headed straight at Fogler as the Saints spurned a chance to make the points safe and with a quarter of an hour remaining Port Talbot reduced the arrears, when Lee John’s left wing free-kick was headed home by Paul Cochlin.
TNS restored their cushion with eight minutes remaining with Darlington netting at the second attempt, after originally being denied by Fogler.
The match was deep into injury time when Port Talbot pulled a goal back, with Aaron Biddescombe’s right down cross fired into the roof of th net by Oliver Bowen.
TNS: Harrison, Spender, Marriott, Baker, S Evans (Rawlinson), Seargeant, Ruscoe, Edwards, Draper, Darlington, Jones (Williams). Subs: Hogan, Ward, Roberts, Ramsay