SCOTT Ruscoe expects TNS to “step up to the mark” at leaders Connahs Quay Nomads tonight (Friday).

It is first against second in the JD Cymru Premier match of the season so far.

Likely the outcome of the match will have a huge say on the destiny of the title this season.

The TNS manager remained confident of retaining the title despite his side’s poor start to the second phase of the season allowing the Deesiders to steal a march at the top of the JD Cymru Premier.

Ruscoe insisted he remained happy despite last week’s draw at Bala Town.

“Conceding in the fifth minute because of an own goal obviously puts you up against it but after that we totally dominated the game and Bala didn’t really have anything going forward.

“We must have had about 70 to 75 per cent possession throughout the evening and we created some good chances but we were just lacking a bit of luck to finish those chances in the end.”

Ruscoe paid tribute to Bala but insisted TNS were still superior.

“We’ll take our hat off to them. They’ve made a few new signings and strengthened quite well but I think we’re still a far better side in comparison.”

The Saints chief now targeted three points in Deeside to get the Saints back in the title box seat.

Defeat would increase chances of the unthinkable and TNS losing their vice grip on the title.

Ruscoe said: “We’ve got a very good record against them and I expect nothing less than that on Friday night.

“We’ve lost one, drawn one, so it would be nice for us to get back to winning ways and get back to the top of the table.

“Last time we played away at Connah’s Quay, we dominated from start to finish and I really thought it was one of our best performances of the season.

“We need to step up to the mark, and usually we do when we’re playing Connah’s Quay.”