Welsh Premier League

Caernarfon Town 0

The New Saints 3

The New Saints reclaimed top spot in the Welsh Premier League after easing to victory against a spirited Caernarfon Town on Monday night.

First-half goals from Kurtis Bryne and Jon Routledge, plus Greg Draper's customary goal off the bench, were enough to seal all three points for Scott Ruscoe's men.

Saints made the perfect start, taking the lead as early as the fourth minute through Byrne's delicate finish after he was played through by Jamie Mullan.

The game settled into a tight encounter, with neither side creating many clear-cut chances as Saints dominated possession.

Goalscorer Byrne nearly added his and TNS's second on 36 minutes but his header from Chris Marriott's cross flashed wide.

But the second goal came two minutes later as Routledge's effort from outside the box appeared to deflect off Jamie Crowther to evade Nic Bould.

Jack Bodenham nearly continued his excellent start to life at TNS when his goalbound effort on 52 minutes was cleared off the line.

Saints were given a strong reminder of the home side's danger when skipper Paul Harrison was called into action, making a fine double save, first from Sion Bradley before getting down low to Nathan Craig's piledriver.

Tempers frayed in the 69th minute as Danny Redmond squared up to Gareth Evans after he objected to a studs-up tackle from the home player, for which he was cautioned.

Subs Billy Whitehouse and Draper combined to score Saints' third as the exciting winger's cross and run was met by the Kiwi international and he headed home.

TNS: Harrison, Spender, Marriott, Hudson, Bodenham, Mullan, Routledge, Redmond, Cieslewicz (Whitehouse 75), Brobbel (Ebbe 75), Byrne (Draper 71)

Not used: Lewis, Edwards