Disappointed TNS boss Scott Ruscoe admitted that while his dropped side dropped two points at Newtown on Saturday, he was satisfied with the draw.

Greg Draper’s late penalty gave Saints a share of the spoils after Ethan Jones put the hosts into a 10th minute lead.

Ruscoe felt his side possibly did not do enough to claim all three points and admitted there is an increase in quality across the league this term.

“Frustrating is the word really because we dominated the game and possession but that doesn’t give you the right to the three points,” said Ruscoe.

“I thought we were a little bit pedestrian at times and didn’t hurt them enough in the right areas. We had chances – Greg’s had a good couple and we possibly could’ve won the game.

“But after being one down for so long and then getting on late on, you’d take that.

“We’ve had five games now – won four and drawn one. It’s not all bad; yes, we’ve drawn against Newtown but they’re on a good run themselves.

“They’ve won four of five too. At this stage, we’ve won eight, drawn two and lost two. Obviously, we’d have liked to have won 10 and drawn a couple but it’s the way it is.

“Other teams in this league are allowed to play well and they’re bound to. They’re signing better players and the coaches are getting better educated though their courses.

“The standard of pitches and the use of 3G is a leveller. It’s not like the days of the past when everyone came to TNS and got thrashed by us on that pitch.

“Don’t get me wrong, we still do that every now and then but teams are allowed to play against us at home – they’re not making up the numbers. You have to give them the respect and say ‘take a draw’ when we haven’t played well.

“You’re not really ever going to win 32 games in a season even if we signed half a team of better quality.”

Ruscoe believes the desire of other sides to beat his team means his players are coming under further pressure.

He added: “Everyone wants to beat us, everyone expects us to win and when we don’t they enjoy it sometimes.

“There’s pressure on the players but we are a club that dominates and needs to win the league. I told them before the game that Connah’s Quay Nomads dropped points so let’s go clear.

“We’re telling them to be relentless from the start and I won’t get bored of telling them.”