Draper the hero as Saints survive Bala comeback bid

Greg Draper’s second half header proved to be the difference as TNS survived a late scare in their Friday night conquest of Bala Town.

TNS started brightly with Danny Redmond, Blaine Hudson and Draper going close in the early stages.

However Bala were given a golden opportunity to lead midway through the half when referee Nick Pratt spotted an infringement in the Saints area only for Henry Jones to be denied by goalkeeper Paul Harrison from the penalty spot.

The first-half continued to be an open contest with Redmond forcing goalkeeper Ashley Morris into action before the Lakesiders were left infuriated when their attempt to break ended when Nathan Burke’s cross struck Pratt as the chance went begging.

Dean Ebbe was denied in a one on one duel with Morris in the first opening of the second-half and moments later Morris was once again forced into action to tip away Draper’s headed effort.

Draper was not to be denied and on 56 minutes met Ryan Brobbel’s cross to head past Morris.

Moments later Jon Routledge drilled wide as TNS looked to tighten their grip on the game.

Bala ended the match on top with Kieron Smith and Henry Jones firing wide.

In the dying embers of the game Smith looked to have rescued a point for Bala when he fired beyond Harrison only to be adjudged offside as TNS breathed a huge sigh of relief to end the game with three points.

TNS: Harrison, Marriott, Davies, Routledge, Ebbe (Byrne 86), Brobbel, Draper (Cieslewicz 83), Redmond, Hudson, Nembhard (Mullan 58), Harrington. Subs: Dutton, Edwards, Whitehouse.

Att - 311