NEWTOWN came out on top in a crunch relegation clash at home to lowly league rivals Shelton.
Despite narrowly failing to complete a much-needed victory as Shelton hung on for a draw, the performance augers well for Newtown with five games remaining.
It looked like the same old story when Newtown lost several cheap early wickets to be left wobbling precariously on 20-4.
Steve Griffiths (4-33) peppered the top order with great success as openers Dave Laird (0) and Steve Davies (5) were promptly sent back to the pavillion.
Griffiths also trapped Richard Smout LBW for 10, while veteran Brian Jones was caught for just two by Ross Griffiths.
A splendid middle order recovery stemmed the collapse for Newtown as Stuart Putson steadied the ship.
Putson (28) was joined by Tony Springer (16) and Dai Brown (13) in improving the run rate before the always reliable Craig Davies (38) entered the fray.
Sam Jones (3-13) claimed the coveted wicket of Davies for 38 while Sam Griffiths (3-40) succeeded in ending a stubborn tailend stand from Dave Anthony (6) and John Anthony (8) to leave Newtown defending 144.
Shelton were in immediate trouble with their reply getting off to a nightmare start.
Opener Josh Croft was caught behind by Dai Brown off Craig Davies (2-44) before the latter trapped Tom Hewitt for two.
John Anthony shared the overs and was rewarded for a superb bowling display with figures of 3-28 as Ben Matthews and Jamie Martindale went for ducks before Matt Morris was caught for one.
Sam Jones (26) and Ben Chambers (38) came together for the sixth wicket and offered Shelton some respite.
However, when Jones was caught by Dave Anthony off Jonathan Davies and Springer bowled Chambers it left the visitors hanging on grimly for a draw.
Jonathan Davies (2-8) and Springer (2-17) made further headway as the tailend began to fall away but Newtown were to be denied by a last wicket stand.
Jim Cadwallader (3no) and Ross Griffiths (1no) stubbornly stood up to the challenge to ensure Town were denied a deserved second win of the season.
n Newtown IIs skipper Ricky Davies praised his young guns after completing a 55-run win at Shelton IIs in the reserve league.
Sam Cooke opened with a splendid 52 while Chris Bound struck an unbeaten 48 to help their side to 173.
A tense reply culminated in Shelton hanging on for a draw until a late collapse completed a 55-run win in the final over.
Chris Bound (3-31) and skipper Davies (2-20) took wickets while youngster Matt Jones (2-18) took vital late wickets.