Bala Town 0 TNS 1

RYAN Brobbel struck early at Maes Tegid as TNS sunk Bala Town to return to the top of the JD Cymru Premier.

With leaders Connah's Quay Nomads slipping to a 2-0 defeat at home to Penybont earlier in the afternoon, newly installed Saints manager Anthony Limbrick knew three points at Bala would see his side back on the league summit.

TNS led inside the opening seven minutes with Brobbel maintaining his electric form since returning from injury by firing home after the home side failed to clear their lines in a goalmouth scramble.

Former TNS goalkeeper Alex Ramsay was called upon five minutes later to turn away Ben Clark's effort as TNS maintained their bright start.

Clark could have doubled the lead on 26 minutes after skilfully bringing down a long throughball from Ryan Astles only to fail to control his shot which soared into the nearby woods.

The remainder of the half proved evenly contested but the home side struggled to create any clear openings.

At the other end Ramsay was once again called upon at the end of the half to turn away Adrian Cieslewicz' strike to keep Bala in contention.

Bala began the second-half brightly with Sean Smith's shot blocked before Will Evans forced goalkeeper Paul Harrison into action.

TNS soon reasserted their dominance and could have doubled their lead on 56 minutes only for Ramsay to produce a wonder save to push wide Jon Routledge's effort.

Just three minutes later Adam Roscrow tested Ramsay who continued to keep his side in contention.

Both sides rang the changes as the match entered its final stages and Bala ended the match with their best spell of the game.

Chris Venables lashed wide on 75 minutes and Anthony Kay headed wide five minutes later.

With two minutes remaining the home side almost snatched a last gasp leveller when Venables dragged a cross shot into the danger area but Kay failed to meet on the far post as TNS celebrated a winning start for Anthony Limbrick.

BALA: Ramsay, S Smith, Stephens, Spittle, Evans (Jones 70), Leslie (Davies 79), Kay, Mendes (K Smith 63), Mackreth (Correia 63), Pryce (Peate 79), Venables

TNS: Harrison, Spender, Marriott, Routledge, Brobbel (Mullan 74), Redmond, Cieslewicz, Hudson, Astles, Clark (Smith 81), Roscrow (Draper 82). Subs: Williams, Davies, Holland, Cornish