TNS bid to extend their lead at the top of the JD Cymru Premier when Cardiff Metropolitan visit Oswestry on Friday night (8pm).

The sides meet in contrasting form with TNS enjoying their best spell of the season while the capital side have been in freefall in recent weeks.

The Archers record at Park Hall is also striking having failed to ever win at the ground however TNS have been held to draws in their last two meetings with the university club.

Saints manager Scott Ruscoe challenged his players to extend their lead at the top over the festive period and demoralise the chasing pack.

Ruscoe said: “I said to them before the Barry game, you’re a point ahead so do not get beat and then get overtaken by someone else.

“If you can get six, seven, even nine points clear, it sucks the life out of other teams who are left thinking TNS are on a run again.

“If we pull clear then teams start to play for second and third while if there’s only one point in it then it’s always leaving them with hope.”

Ruscoe relished the festive fixture list, starting at home to Cardiff Metropolitan whose collapse in form has seen them drop out of the top six.

“Momentum is so important ,” said Ruscoe. “It’s not arrogance, but we went into the last game thinking how well we did the week before so we’ll do it again.

“It rolls from one game into the next, and likewise on the flipside for Cardiff Met, they’ve had a few dodgy results but need a run to get into that top six .”

Ruscoe admitted he was happier to face the Archers at home having scraped a last gasp draw at Cyncoed in the reverse fixture.

However the Saints chief pointed to tougher games on the horizon, including a double header against inform Cefn Druids before old rivals Connahs Quay Nomads and neighbours Newtown in New Year.

The Saints chief remained confident, saying: “The last sets of results are a great barometer for where we are.”

Ryan Brobbel will make his 100th top flight appearance against the Archers on Friday night.