TNS 2 Newtown 0

TNS extended a nine point lead at the top of the JD Cymru Premier after coming out on top in an entertaining Friday night derby against Newtown.

Newtown goalkeeper Dave Jones earned the plaudits for a string of outstanding saves but the match was far from a one-sided affair with the mid Wales side doing more than enough to perhaps warrant a point on the night.

However goals from league top scorer Declan McManus and Ashley Baker settled the outcome in the second-half.

Both sides began brightly with Nick Rushton and Lufumpa Mwandwe getting in behind the home defence to no avail while McManus headed wide at the other end.

Newtown had a let on on 15 minutes when Chris Marriott's corner failed to be cleared and Danny Davies' goalbound header was cleared off the line by James Rowland.

Jones produced the first of series of stunning double saves on 27 minutes to deny Ryan Astles whose parried headed effort was met by Danny Davies only for Jones to recover and save.

Jones continued to be kept busy and produced another great save to claw away Ryan Brobbel's free-kick which threatened to dip under the bar five minutes before the break.

However it was Newtown who came closest to breaking the deadlock when Mwandwe raced onto George Hughes' throughball only for Astles to recover and deflect his shot agonisingly wide of the target.

Newtown could have led from the resulting corner with Rowland's inswinging cross headed off the line by Astles.

The second-half began at a much less frenetic pace as TNS came to dictate the game.

The pressure was slowly ramped up and the Saints led on the hour with Baker's right wing cross met on the far post by McManus who headed home his 19th goal of the season.

The match remained evenly poised with Newtown dangerman Mwande latching onto Jake Walker's throughball only to fire agonisingly wide.

At the other end the Saints were left to rue another stunning save from Jones who denied McManus from point blank range to keep his side in contention.

However TNS are top of the table for a reason and with 13 minutes remaining the victory was assured with Baker swivelling home a neat finish from Brobbel's left wing corner.

TNS could have added a third only for Jones to complete his man of the match display with another great save and recover to turn away Louis Robles' follow up effort.

TNS comfortably saw out the remainder of the game and with Flint Town United losing 3-1 against Bala Town celebrated opening a nine point lead at the summit.

TNS: Harrison, Marriott, K Davies, Astles (Baker 53), Brobbel, McManus, Redmond, Williams (Robles 72), Clark, Smith (Cieslewicz 83), D Davies. Subs: Parry, Ebbe, Daykin, Holland

NEWTOWN: Jones, Taylor, Roberts, Mwandwe, Rushton (Breese 79), Davies (Cotterill 54), A Williams, Rowland (Evans 79), Hughes, Walker, Arsan. Sub: M Williams, Thomas