Caernarfon Town 0

TNS 3

TNS reclaimed top spot in the Welsh Premier League after easing to victory at Caernarfon Town in front of a bumper Monday night gate at the Oval.

First-half goals from Kurtis Bryne and Jon Routledge, plus Greg Draper’s customary goal off the bench, were enough to seal three deserved points for Scott Ruscoe’s title chasing side.

The Saints made the perfect start and took the lead as early as the fourth minute through Byrne’s delicate finish after being played through by Jamie Mullan.

The game settled into a tight encounter with neither side creating many clear cut chances with Adrian Cieslewicz testing the home goalkeeper before Gareth Evans warmed the palms of TNS goalkeeper Paul Harrison.

Irishman Byrne nearly added his and TNS’ second on 36 minutes but his header from Chris Marriott’s cross flashed wide.

However the second goal came two minutes later as Routledge’s effort from outside the box appeared to deflect off Jamie Crowther to evade home goalkeeper Nic Bould.

Jack Bodenham continued his excellent start to life at TNS and fired a warning shot when his goalbound effort on 52 minutes was cleared off the line by Kevin Roberts.

TNS were given a strong reminder of the home side’s danger when skipper Paul Harrison was called into action and made a fine double save, first from Darren Thomas before getting down low to Nathan Craig’s piledriver from the edge of the area.

Tempers frayed in the 69th minute as Danny Redmond squared up to Gareth Evans after objecting to a studs-up tackle from the home player who earned a caution.

Cieslewicz and Draper both tested Bould while Jamie Crowther failed to meet Thomas' cross as the match entered its final stages.

TNS settled the outcome with nine minutes remaining with Billy Whitehouse crossing for fellow substitute Draper to head home as the Oswestry side returned to the Welsh Premier summit.

TNS: Harrison, Spender, Marriott, Hudson, Bodenham, Mullan, Routledge, Redmond, Cieslewicz (Whitehouse 75), Brobbel (Ebbe 75), Byrne (Draper 71). Subs: Lewis, Edwards

Att - 1006