Connahs QN 1 TNS 1

MIKE Wilds returned to haunt his former club with his late goal rescuing a point for Connahs Quay Nomads to leave TNS frustrated on Deeside on Friday night.

A drab first-half saw neither side impose themselves with the only clear opening of the half arriving just before the break only for Dean Ebbe to be denied by home goalkeeper Lewis Brass.

Chances continued to be few and far between with Nomads veteran George Horan dominant in the hosts defence.

The hosts were denied a penalty despite strong claims shortly before the hour and the Saints capitalised by breaking the deadlock.

Ryan Brobbel’s weighted throughball picked out Ebbe to convert from close range.

The Nomads were galvanised with Wilde heading wide before a bizarre incident at the other end.

Referee Mark Petch awarded the Saints a penalty for handball but with Greg Draper set to begin his run up the official over turned his own decision in favour of a drop goal.

Amid the confusion the Saints lost their focus and eight minutes remaining a long ball caused chaos in the Saints defence to allow Jamie Insall to break and while goalkeeper Paul Harrison parried his effort the loose ball was seized upon by Wilde to ensure Nomads rescued a point.

Ruscoe was unhappy with the performance of match official Petch.

Ruscoe said: “The referee has given it as a penalty and then confided in the linesman and the linesman has said he doesn’t think it’s a penalty. The referee has given it so that should have been it.

“Our players still felt frustration and perhaps lost a bit of momentum. Then they score from a long ball. It’s a kick in the teeth.”

TNS: Harrison, Marriott, Davies, Routledge, Ebbe (Draper 70); Brobbel, Redmond, Mullan, Nembhard, Edwards (Cieslewicz 87), Harrington. Subs: Dutton, Clark, Byrne, Whitehouse.

Att 379