TNS 1 Cardiff Metropolitan 2

TNS stumbled to a first ever home defeat to Cardiff Metropolitan as the JD Cymru Premier title race was blown wide open.

The Archers arrived in Oswestry desperate to end a mid season slump against a TNS side unbeaten in five games and looking to pull clear at the top of the table.

The capital side led inside the opening five minutes with Joel Edwards skilfully back heeling home from close range after the home side failed to clear a corner from the right.

TNS looked to restore parity and following a spell of sustained pressure were back on terms after Adrian Cieslewicz picked out Ryan Brobbel to smash home to mark his 100th appearance with a goal.

TNS continued to press with Met goalkeeper Will Fuller marshalling the Archers defence.

With six minutes left of the half the visitors regained their lead with Edwards' long ball forward releasing former Llangedwyn player Will Evans who capitalised on a slip by home defender Ryan Harrington to fire beyond Paul Harrison.

The Archers should have increased their lead shortly after the break only for Will Evans to head over from Elliot Evans' cross as TNS breathed a huge sigh of relief.

TNS looked to make the most of their reprieve with Brobbel firing wide with a free-kick before Dean Ebbe's headed effort forced Fuller into action.

Brobbel went close with another free-kick on the hour before sending a shot just over the bar from the edge of the area 10 minutes later with Cieslewicz also going close from distance.

Substitute Greg Draper almost made an immediate impact moments later only for Fuller to produce a save at the New Zealander's feet as the Archers scrambled clear for a corner.

TNS looked to have levelled with six minutes remaining with Kurtis Byrne crossing for Jamie Mullan to slot home from close range only to be denied by the assistant referee's flagging for offside.

Cardiff Metropolitan were reduced to 10 men late on when Edwards saw red after reacting to a poor challenge from Keston Davies but his side had already done enough to celebrate their first ever win at Park Hall.

TNS: Harrison, Spender, Davies, Routledge, Ebbe (Byrne 76), Brobbel, Redmond, Cieslewicz, Nembhard (Mullan 59), Edwards, Harrington (Draper 71). Subs: Dutton, Marriott, Whitehouse.

Att - 232