Cefn Druids 1 Newtown 2

NIALL Flint struck a contender for goal of the season as Newtown won the latest chapter in Welsh football's oldest rivalry.

The Robins arrived at the Rock looking to gain ground on sixth place while the hosts went into the game in the relegation zone following an indifferent start to the JD Cymru Premier campaign.

Newtown led when Jack Kelly squared for Alex Fletcher to loft a perfectly weighted throughball for Nick Rushton to prod past an advancing Mike Jones inside the opening two minutes.

Newtown continued to dictate the game and doubled their lead with a memorable strike from Flint 20 minutes later.

A long throw from Fletcher failed to be cleared by the home defence with Flint volleying arriving on the edge of the area to volley home in sensational style for his first goal for Newtown.

Druids were almost back in the game when Ramires Howarth's cross shot was steered onto his own bar by Sam Barnes only for a furiously back pedalling Dave Jones to scramble clear.

The Robins could have added to their own tally before the break with Flint's skills unlocking the Druids midfield to release Ian Sheridan on the left wing and whose cross was headed over the bar from close range by Joe Kenton.

The Druids threatened at the start of the second-half with Jones tipping over Cody Ruberto's header before the same player steered Neil Ashton's left wing cross narrowly wide.

The hosts continued to press with Mike Pritchard heading wide before Jones was forced to save Ashton's low header from Ryan Kershaw's inswinging free-kick.

The introduction of ex-Llanfair United striker James Davies with 15 minutes remaining paid immediate dividends for the hosts.

Jones fumbled a deep cross from Ashton under pressure from Alec Mudimu with Davies on hand to blast home via the underside of the bar with nine minutes remaining at the Rock.

However Newtown were not to be denied three points on the road and saw out the game to close the gap on sixth placed Cardiff Metropolitan who were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Aberystwyth Town.

NEWTOWN: D Jones, McAllister, Mills-Evans, Rushton (Mwandwe 75), Sheridan (Harry 75), Kenton, Williams, Flint, Fletcher, Kelly, Barnes (Thorn 27). Subs: Steventon, Brownfield.

Att - 315