Bala Town claimed a point on their delayed return to Welsh Premier League action, holding Newtown to a 2-2 draw at Maes Tegid On Friday night.
Henry Jones’ header restored parity midway through the second period after the Robins led at half-time.
Bala, playing their first league fixture in six weeks, opened the scoring when Keiran Smith finished into the bottom corner on 16-minutes.
Newtown right-back Craig Williams scored for a successive week, firing in a powerfully-struck free-kick past Ashley Morris, before left-back Callum Morris found the target as two goals in the space of seven-minutes saw Newtown take control of the game.
Rio Ahmadi threatened to add a third after the break for the visitors before substitute Evan Horwood’s cross was met by the head of Jones as Bala levelled.
“We thoroughly deserved our point and based on the first-half performance, we should’ve come away with all three,” said Newtown manager Chris Hughes.
“I thought we moved the ball very well and caused them lots and lost of problems, so they had to do something. They paid us a massive compliment by matching us up and then the game became really scrappy because it was a one-v-one battle all over the pitch, and whoever one that was breaking on the counter.
“It became a little bit too open and we tried to change the shape, but unfortunately we didn’t do it quick enough before they equalised.”
It’s third-v-first in the pick of the afternoon’s WPL games as Barry Town United entertain Connah’s Quay in the latest chapter of the intriguing three-way title race at the top of the JD Welsh Premier League tonight (7.30).
Barry, third, have notched wins in 10 of their 11 home games to date – a run that has helped transform Gavin Chesterfield’s team into legitimate title challengers. A repeat of their 2-0 win over the Nomads at Jenner Park in Phase 1, would place Barry Town level on points with the league leaders.
“You know they’ll be robust and well-drilled in terms of their game plan and set-pieces and they’ve got some very good threats and talented players, but so have we,” said Chesterfield.
“The key thing for us is making sure we keep to our own game plan and nullify threats. It’s a game that should fill people with a lot of excitement.”
Visiting manager Andy Morrison says Barry Town no longer have a surprise element and have proven they deserve to be among the WPL’s leading teams.
“Barry are no longer a surprise package, the quality they have in depth and performances this season have shown just how good of a squad they have put together, you can
see why they are pushing hard along with us to challenge TNS for the title,” he said.
Cardiff Met will pull eight points clear if they can record a third-straight win at the expense of eighth-placed Aberystwyth Town.
Llandudno face relegation rivals Llanelli, as Mark Cowan takes charge of the Maesdu Park side for the first time. Manager Iwan Williams was granted compassionate leave earlier this week.
Llandudno trail Llanelli by a point at the foot of the table with both sides in desperate need of a win to boost their slender hopes of survival.
Carmarthen Town and Cefn Druids can to ease any lingering relegation worries with a win from their meeting at Richmond Park.
Second-placed The New Saints play Caernarfon Town on Monday.
WPL weekend fixtures
Friday: Bala Town 2-2 Newtown. Saturday (2.30): Aberystwyth Town v Cardiff Met, Carmarthen v Cefn Druids, Llandudno v Llanelli, Barry Town v Connah’s Quay (7.30, live TV game).
