The NEW SAINTS boss Scott Ruscoe believes his side have laid down a marker for next season with their comeback win over Connahs Quay Nomads on Friday.

Saints were behind at half-time but a Greg Draper double and one from sub Ryan Pryce gave TNS the win at Park hall and stretched their lead at the top to 16 points.

Ruscoe also insisted his senior players have issued their own challenge to remain first choice, with the TNS boss looking to bolster his squad for 2018/19.

"Greg's goals are a sign that my senior players are laying down a mark for next season already," he said. "I spoke to him before the game about his season's best tally a few years ago of 22 and he's equalled that record overall. He's only 28 but he can go and get more next Friday.

"But it's also about us laying down that marker to our opponents for next year. Nomads went one up and were thinking they'd done ok and they were going to win, but we know we're fitter, stronger and better than every team in the division by a long way.

"If they want to take our top spot, these teams are going to have to make a lot more signings. Regardless of whether we win it by 19 points or 16 points, Nomads, Bangor City and Bala Town are far away from us.

"Whether these teams go full-time or not and buy new players, I'm not really interested because we're going to be doing the same. Unless they're going to really stretch their budget and sign players that even we can't afford, then I don't think they're going to get near us.

"There's always the worry that our players will be offered silly money. If you look at the players who have done well for us, everyone will want them to be part of their squad.

"We've got them on good contracts but I know a few teams have spoken to our players even though they're on those good contracts, but it doesn't bother me as I know they're going to sign for us. Why would they want to sign for anyone else? We're in the Champions League and there would be eyebrows raised if they didn't want to play at that standard.

Ruscoe admitted he was pleased with Saints's second-half display.

He added: "Before the game, we tried to put out the right noises about getting the goals and doing the right things with two games to go.

"Can we keep cleans sheets, can we get more goals and pick up the six points? But we turned up in the first half and thought the league was over; we didn't really pass the ball quickly enough.

"We were sloppy, mistakes were made and it ran through the team. We changed it a little bit and went back to the shape we know and it was more dominating performance."