Scott Ruscoe insists his New Saints side's extra fitness and desire to move a step closer to a seventh consecutive Welsh Premier League title is the reason why they were able to sweep Bangor City aside on Friday night.

Two goals in nine second-half minutes from Aeron Edwards set TNS on their way to a vital victory before Ryan Brobbel sealed the three points with a fine finish in added time as Alex Darlington failed to shine on his return to Park Hall.

Ruscoe was delighted with the win – coming just weeks after Saints only just edged Bangor out at home in the first phase – and was extra impressed with the clean sheet to boot.

"We set up a little bit differently – I think it worked well and in the second-half our stamina and endurance levels were much better than theirs and I think that's why we won the game," he said

"Looking at the game beforehand, we told them they could go so many points ahead of Bangor. We played them recently and they gave us a very good game, but we knew we could halve the job if we beat them.

"The second-half performance was brilliant – we stood up to everything they threw at us and I thought it was impressive performance.

"It was pleasing to have kept a clean sheet as we have been conceding a little. Over the 90 minutes, they didn't really bother us in terms of Paul Harrison making many saves.

"Yes we had to contain their crossing and things like that but overall, we contained them. We dominated possession and I thought we were impressive all over the pitch."

Scorer Brobbel admitted he was delighted to score.

"Jamie Mullan's cross to the back post was a bit over the top of me, but I managed to get it and turn," he said.

"Once I did that, I only had one thing in my mind which was to cut inside and score. Luckily, I managed to fire it into the top corner.

"I was happy with the performance – we've been working on a few things this week in training and it looks like they paid off. All the lads are looking forward to Dumbarton."

The win leaves Saints 15, 14 and 12 points clear of Bangor City, Bala Town and Connah's Quay Nomads, respectively, meaning they are closing in on another title – Ruscoe's first as manager at the club.

Saints return to league action in two weeks with a crucial trip to Nomads – one of two in seven days as they return in the Welsh Cup quarter-final on March 3.