The New Saints boss Scott Ruscoe believes he has the three best strikers in the Welsh Premier League after a Kurtis Byrne double fired them to a win over Caernarfon Town.

The Irish striker scored either side of a customary Greg Draper goal to seal all three points in a keenly-contested clash at Park Hall.

Draper restored TNS’s lead after Darren Thomas’s fine strike levelled matters and Ruscoe believes all three justly have a case for wanting more minutes.

“It wasn’t quite there for Dean tonight but he did well,” said a delighted Ruscoe in the post-match celebrations.

“We almost expect that goal from Greg now but if he looks back at this season with a league title and a golden boot, he may be disappointed he didn’t get more minutes.

“We’ve got three very good forwards an d you have to mix it around, give everyone an opportunity. Dean did brilliantly in Europe and he might feel hard done by for not having as many minutes.

“But we’ve got the three best strikers in the league.”

Ruscoe rang the changes for the clash with a side pushing for a home advantage nt he European play-offs.

Winger Billy Whitehouse came in for a rare start and the Daints boss was impressed with the Yorkshireman’s skilful play.

“It was great to see Billy come in and show a great attitude,” he said.

“He was excellent in the first half and in the second, it was good to see him go one-on-one with his man.

He was doing his stepovers and worked really hard – that’s what we see in him and that’s why he’s signed a two-and-a-half-year deal. He’s an excellent prospect.”

Ruscoe reserved praise for the visitors as they gave as good as they got at Park Hall, and he insists they are side to be taken seriously in the league ­while praising Thomas’s second-half run and shot which cannoned off Paul Harrison’s post.

He added: “Credit to Caernarfon for coming and going toe-to-toe with us. They’re a good side and they play good football.

“They played with two forwards and were pushing us back. It was a great strike from Thomas and a great effort that hit the post.

“I think they were a good side and their position relays that. I am a little harsh on us but I always want to improve.

“When you make six changes, it’s always going to be a little disjointed but sometimes we were trying things and it was taking players time to catch up.

“If we’d lost to that effort, in the circumstances, it would have been ok. You have to respect your opponent because a lot of the time, we have so much possession but that was a great run and shot.”