Cefn Druids 1 Newtown 1

LUKE Boundford saved the day with an injury-time equaliser sealing a battling point at Cefn Druids on Friday.

Ex-Robin Ryan Kershaw was joined by Arkad Piskorski in firing over as the Druids opened proceedings brightly.

Newtown grew into the game with Craig Williams blasting onto the post with goalkeeper Mike Jones beaten while Nick Rushton and Callum Roberts also spurned openings during the opening exchanges.

The home side led on half an hour with former Llanfair United star James Davies keeping his composure to slot past an advancing Dave Jones.

Jones denied Davies his second moments later with the dangerman also lofting inches wide as Druids ended the half on top.

Newtown began the second-half brightly with Neil Mitchell’s low drive smothered by Jones before the same player headed wide moments later.

Newtown should have been level before the hour with a penalty awarded after Callum Roberts was clipped in the area only for Alex Fletcher to send his spot kick crashing onto the bar.

Meanwhile Jones’ personal duel with Davies continued at the other end with the Newtown stopper bravely saving at his feet.

Newtown continued to toil for a route back into the game with manager Chris Hughes throwing caution to the wind late on with the introduction of Steve Leslie and Sam Phillips to provide pep to his attack.

Leslie’s low drive from 30 yards was smothered by goalkeeper Mike Jones as Druids sat back to soak up the pressure.

The positive substitutions were rewarded in the dying embers of the game with Mitchell swinging over an inch perfect cross for Boundford to head home and ensure his side a deserved point.

NEWTOWN: D Jones, Williams, Mills-Evans, Bailey, Roberts, Fletcher, Denny (Phillips 82), Mitchell, Kenton (Leslie 66), Boundford, Rushton. Subs: Goodwin, Cook, Perry, Evans.

Att - 319