Newtown 3 Llandudno 2
NEWTOWN twice hit back to sink Llandudno and ensure their unbroken top flight status for another season.
The Robins suffered the worst possible start with the brighter visitors breaking the deadlock inside the opening five minutes with Jay Gibbs on target from close range.
The Seasiders continued to take the game to the home side with dangerman Toby Jones denied by goalkeeper Dave Jones early on.
However the Robins were back on terms on 16 minutes with Luke Boundford’s long throw from the right causing havoc as Ryan Sears sent a looping header beyond goalkeeper Alex Lynch.
The match opened up with both sides having chances as Gibbs tested Jones from distance before Ethan Jones came within a whisker of opening his account.
The ex-Telford striker was fed by Nick Rushton whose low shot skimmed the outside of the woodwork with Lynch beaten.
However Llandudno regained the lead on 23 minutes with Gibbs following up to net after Jones spilled a low header from Jones into his path.
Despite the set-back the hosts gathered their composure and dictated the remainder of the half with Llandudno indebted to Lynch who denied Alex Fletcher and Rushton.
Newtown deservedly levelled three minutes into the second-half with Ethan Jones’ deflected shot inching beyond Lynch.
Rushton drilled across the face of goal while Jay Denny blazed over for the hosts while Llandudno threatened through Toby Jones who saw an effort adjudged offside.
Newtown led for the first time with 20 minutes remaining with Rushton slotting home a penalty awarded following a clumsy challenge by James Joyce on Boundford.
Newtown comfortably saw out the remainder of the contest with Tom Goodwin outstanding as makeshift central defender alongside Sears while the tireless running of Neil Mitchell and Fletcher continued to stretch the visiting defence.
Joe Kenton was added to the attack late on as the Robins ended the match strongly.
NEWTOWN: D Jones, TC Williams, Sears, Goodwin, Roberts, Boundford (Kenton), Denny, Mitchell, Fletcher, Rushton (C Williams), E Jones (Harries). Subs: Perry, Evans, Mills-Evans
Att - 154
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