Newtown 1

Bala Town 2

NEWTOWN lost out in a bad tempered clash at home to Bala Town.

Home goalkeeper Dave Jones had to be alert to smother Louis Robles' shot early on but the hosts soon found their stride with Alex Fletcher firing over while Bala goalkeeper Josh Tibbetts pulled off a fine save to tip Jack Kelly's header around the post.

The even opening continued with Kieran Smith firing straight at Jones before Newtown survived a let-off when Chris Venables was denied by Jones with the loose ball fired onto the post by Henry Jones.

Smith lashed out at Fletcher in an off the ball incident midway through the half but the Bala midfielder failed to face any punishment from referee Nick Pratt.

Bala made the most of their good fortune and led on half an hour with Robles sweeping home Ollie Shannon's cross.

Two minutes later Jones' long range effort deflected off Kieran Mills-Evans for Venables to pounce and double the Lakesiders lead despite protests from the home side.

Newtown started the second-half on top with Ian Sheridan and Nick Rushton going close before Bala threatened to put the game to bed with Robles and Smith firing over.

Venables had an effort chalked offside before Newtown reduced the arrears with 20 minutes remaining as Sheridan rose on the far post to head home Lufimpa Mwandwe's right wing cross.

Newtown dominated the remainder of the game with Fletcher's close range header forcing Tibbetts into action with nine minutes remaining.

However as frustrations boiled over Newtown were punished by referee Pratt who dismissed Rushton and the substituted Sheridan for dissent as Bala held out for victory.

NEWTOWN: Jones, McAllister (M Williams 86), Mills-Evans, Edwards, Mitchell, Rushton, Sheridan (Harry 85), Kenton (Mwandwe 63), C Williams, Fletcher, Kelly. Subs: Thorn, Goodwin.

Att - 222