Connahs QN 2 Newtown 0

NEWTOWN fought bravely before succumbing to defeat at Connahs Quay Nomads on Friday night.

Having ended Barry Town United's title bid the previous week the Robins made the trip with confidence but found Nomads a sterner test.

The Deesiders fired an early warning shot when Priestley Farquarson's 18 yard free-kick was cleared off the line by George Hughes.

It proved brief respite with Nomads breaking the deadlock on 11 minutes with veteran captain George Horan heading home a launched throw from Andrew Owens.

The Nomads direct approach has not won many admirers this season though its effectiveness continues to underline its merits.

Callum Morris' shot was deflected wide as Nomads went close to doubling their lead on 20 minutes before Adam Barton headed wide moments later

The home side continued to dictate the game with goalkeeper Dave Jones forced into action to Owens with a well struck volley on 35 minutes.

Owens continued to be a menace and fired a deflected shot wide at the end of the half.

Newtown were much improved after the break and having soaked up the Nomads pressure looked to get a foothold in the game with a number of promising attacks on the counter.

The lively Joe Kenton was involved with his pass to Alex Fletcher whose shot forced home goalkeeper Jon Danby into action for the first time on the hour

Newtown almost levelled on 75 minutes with captain Craig Williams firing a free-kick from the edge of the area just over the bar with Danby struggling

Manager Chris Hughes rang the changes with a triple substitution seeing Luke Boundford, Steve Leslie and Sam Phillips introduced in a bid to force a breakthrough.

However Newtown were undone at the death with the inform Mike Bakare volleying home as Nomads returned to the top of the table.

NEWTOWN: Jones, Williams, Barnes, Mills-Evans, Roberts, Denny, Hughes (Boundford 77), Fletcher, Ahmadi (Leslie 77), Kenton (Phillips 77), Rushton. Subs: Perry, Evans.

Att - 248