Caernarfon Town 3 Newtown 1

NEWTOWN'S frustrating second phase of the season continued with defeat at Caernarfon Town.

The home side underlined their threat early on with Sion Bradley's chipped effort cleared off the line by Newtown captain Craig Williams.

However the opening spell offered little to excite the Friday night crowd in Gwynedd before a mazy run from Darren Thomas which ended by firing inches wide on 20 minutes.

Newtown led six minutes later when the home defence failed to clear and George Harry seized upon the opportunity with a powerful drive beyond the despairing reach of home goalkeeper Alex Ramsay.

The home side failed to react during the remainder of a poor first-half as Newtown went in at the break on top.

However the second-half proved a different matter as Caernarfon imposed themselves on Newtown from the opening whistle.

Home goalkeeper Dave Jones was left frustrated on the hour when his superb save from Nathan Craig;s free-kick fell for Gareth Evans to mop up the rebound.

The goal deflated Newtown who failed to muster any meaningful response in a poor second-half display.

Caernarfon dominated the remainder of the game and Newtown were forced to defend in droves.

The pressure yielded a breakthrough with 15 minutes remaining with Evans heading home Joe Williams' cross from close range.

Caernarfon sealed the point with six minutes remaining with free-kick specialist Craig whipping an unstoppable free-kick beyond a rooted Jones to complete his side's comeback and ensure no way back for Newtown.

NEWTOWN: Jones, McAllister (M Williams 80), Mills-Evans, Edwards (Goodwin 86), Mitchell, Harry, Kenton, Thorn, Mwandwe, C Williams, Kelly. Subs: Steventon, Morris, Berquez.

Att - 585