Cardiff Met 1 TNS 1

THE New Saints saw their first phase campaign end with a disappointing draw against Cardiff Met this afternoon.

The match was switched to Newport's Dragon Park and saw the Archers begin with intent as Elliot Evans forced goalkeeper Paul Harrison into action after seven minutes

Down the other end, Ryan Brobbel sent a free-kick into the wall in the 12th minute before a superb save from Alex Lang denied Adrian Cieslewicz.

Both teams continued to enjoy chances as the half wore on and Declan McManus almost glanced a header into the far corner after half an hour.

The Saints were awarded a penalty after Ben Clark was fouled inside the box after 34 minutes but once again Lang produced the goods to deny McManus from the spot.

McManus did find the net on half-time only for the effort to be ruled out for a foul in the build up by referee Dean John.

TNS broke the deadlock after 56 minutes with Blaine Hudson heading home Chris Marriott's corner despite the best efforts of Lang on the line.

Lang denied both McManus and Brobbel to keep his side in contention while the latter also curled a shot wide of the post as the Saints failed to put the game to bed.

Lang and Met's resolve was rewarded in the last seconds of injury time as Joseph Evans netted a last gasp equaliser.

Blaine Hudson’s 56th-minute header looked to be sending all three points to Oswestry, but in the fourth minute of stoppage time, Joseph Evans snatched a last-gasp equaliser for his side.

Much to the frustration of the Saints players, the goal stood despite their protests, meaning their run of nine successive victories came to an end

Results elsewhere mean the lead at the top remains at 21 points, with the release of the Championship Conference fixtures expected later this weekend.

CARDIFF MET: Lang, Chubb (J Davies 68'), McCarthy, Lewis, Price, E Evans (Craig Davies 68'), Baker (Humphries 85'), Owen (Warman 83'), J Evans, Craven, Lewis-Hillier. Subs: Manson, Feltham

TNS: Harrison, Marriott, Astles, Brobbel (Canavan 90'), McManus, Redmond (Smith 80'), Cieslewicz, Hudson, Denny, Clark (Robles 77'),D Davies. Subs: Roberts, Williams, Roseberry-Beamond, Grogan