TNS 3 Penybont 2

TNS were handed a fright before overcoming Penybont to maintain their march toward the JD Cymru Premier title.

The Saints probed early on with Declan McManus warming the palms of goalkeeper Ashley Morris from distance with the ex-Bala Town No1 also denying Ben Clark.

Morris could only watch as Clark rattled the woodwork following a dangerous left wing cross from Ryan Brobbel after 15 minutes as the Saints continued to dictate proceedings.

Two minutes later the Bridgend side were punished as Nathan Wood was dispossessed by McManus who surged forward to round Morris and slot into an empty net.

Penybont handed the Saints a fright soon after with James Waite testing Saints goalkeeper Paul Harrison who was forced to tip away his effort.

McManus steered a Jordan Williams cross over the woodwork from close range as TNS pushed for a second.

However Penybont were back on terms after 27 minutes with Waite holding off the challenge of Ryan Astles to tee up Wood to fire home from close range.

TNS regained their lead before the break with a looping header from McManus coming back off the foot of the post for Williams to pounce.

The visitors once again showed their resilience and levelled for a second time six minutes into the second-half with a powerful close range header from Sam Snaith.

TNS looked to mount an immediate response with Williams testing Morris before the Saints regained the lead on 63 minutes with Jon Routledge's cross met by McManus who made no mistake.

McManus almost completed his hat-trick from another Routledge cross after 77 minutes only to head wide.

Both sides created openings in a frantic finale with Ben Ahmun denied by Harrison before substitute Adrian Cieslewicz curled inches wide for the Saints.

TNS: Harrison, Marriott, K Davies, Astles, Routledge, Brobbel (Cieslewicz 90), McManus, Redmond, Williams (Robles 73), Clark (Smith 77), D Davies. Subs: Roberts, Ebbe, Canavan, Daykin

Penybont: Morris, Walsh (Tweedy 86), Owen, Jefferies, Harling, Wood, Waite, Snaith, Watts (Ahmun 64), Clutton (Evans 72), Reynolds. Subs: Williams, Griffiths