ROBINS BATTLE BACK TO STUN TNS

NEWTOWN ended the year in style as they came from behind to beat 10man The New Saints 4-2 at Park Hall.

The champions raced into a 2-0 lead thanks to early strikes from in-form striker Greg Draper and Jamie Mullan. But the Robins hit back through Ryan Sears and Luke Boundford before Robbie Parry saw red on the stroke of half time.

The second half was played at a breath-taking pace and it was Boundford who got the next goal heading Newtown into the lead.

TNS continued to attack but Nick Rushton sealed the result with a goal in the dying minutes.

Connah’s Quay Nomads couldn’t take full advantage of TNS’ slip-up but they did close the gap by one point after a 1-1 draw with Cefn

Druids at the Deeside Stadium. Michael Bakare headed the hosts in front after Mike Wilde’s initial shot came back off the crossbar but the lead only lasted nine minutes as James Davies restored parity.

Ashley Ruane should have given the Ancients the lead from the spot but he blazed his penalty over as both sides were forced to settle for a point.

Elsewhere, a late Chris Venables penalty was enough to see Bala

Town beat Prestatyn Town 1-0. Cardiff Met host Barry Town United in a New Year’s Eve derby later today while Carmarthen Town open the year at Aberystwyth Town with Bangor City clashing with Llandudno. Haverfordwest narrowed the gap at the top of the Welsh League to just two points when they ground out a 2-1 victory at Undy Athletic .

Dan Jarmon had given Undy the lead but the West Walians produced a second-half performance with strikes by Joe Leahy and Sean Pemberton giving them the points.

Llanelli’s eagerly-awaited top of the table clash with Penybont scheduled for Stebonheath Park was called off due to the weather.