Scott Ruscoe described TNS’ draw at Connah’s Quay Nomads on Friday night as ‘a kick in the teeth’.

The Saints manager insisted the Oswestrians deserved to win the game and failed to hide to disappointment.

“I don’t think it was a fair result. They had one chance and I thought we totally dominated the game,” said Ruscoe.

Ruscoe felt the referee had played his part in the Saints losing their grip on the game after referee Mark Petch overturned his penalty decision with Greg Draper already lined-up to take the spot kick.

“The referee has given it as a penalty and then he’s 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.

“The referee doesn’t change his mind normally, so I thought it was really strange.

“That probably had a bearing on the game, because our players still felt frustration with it and perhaps we lost a bit of momentum,” said Ruscoe. “Then they score from a long ball. It’s a kick in the teeth.”

TNS return to Park Hall on Saturday with bottom of the table Carmarthen Town the visitors.

Ruscoe warned his players against underestimating the Old Gold.

“They’ve had four draws and haven’t had a win yet, but they could be a potential banana skin,” warned Ruscoe. “I wouldn’t want to question the players’ attitudes going into this game, but it’s one that, on paper, could be a tricky one.”

“Our players now are getting to the point in the season where we’re ticking along nicely.