A STUNNING free kick by Chris Jones gave Matthew Bishop’s Aberystwyth Town side a lift as they produced a spirited second half performance in their 2-1 defeat against defending champions The New Saints at Park Hall on Sunday.

First half goals from Ryan Brobbel and Adrian Cieslewicz ensured that the Saints got their campaign off to a flying start, but Bishop will be heartened by his team’s determined fightback, which was capped by Jones’ excellent late strike.

A lively start from the Saints meant that Aber keeper Dominic Richards was busy from the start, and he made a string of early saves to keep his side in it, denying both Scott Quigley and Aeron Edwards.

Adrian Ciesliewicz then broke free and smashed the crossbar with a volley, and Will Bell also saved Aber by deflecting Simon Spender’s low volley onto the post.

The Saints, however, deservedly opened their account on 15 minutes when the ball dropped to Ryan Brobbel to nod home from five yards out - but Aber responded well and Geoff Kellaway’s flick found Jonathan Evans down the right channel, but his shot went wide.

The Saints stepped up again and goalkeeper Richards then had to deny Ciesliewicz again, and Ryan Wollacott made a fine block to frustrate Quigley.

An injury to Aber’s Greg Walters brought about a stop in play and the appearance of sub Ricky Watts, but the Saints were soon back on the front foot with Edwards hitting the post with a volley - before they doubled their advantage on 38 minutes.

Cieslewicz was played in by Chris Seargeant and after composing himself, he managed to lob Richards, despite a brave effort Cledan Davies to keep it out.

Richards then pulled off yet another injury time save, and the visiting supporters were relieved to reach the break with the scoreline at just 2-0 to the defending champions.

Aberystwyth’s second half showing was much improved as a couple of slight tactical switches made a world of difference to their performance.

Richards again did well to deny Ciesliewicz a second goal, but Aber were now competing well, with Watts making some swash-buckling runs down the right side.

Watts set up sub Chris Jones with a neat flick, and the Gower man shot wide with his first touch against his former club.

Kellaway was next to burst down the right, and he tested Paul Harrison with a low strike, but TNS still threatened through Greg Draper and Simon Spender.

Some good build up play down the left saw Chris Marriott’s cross find Spender, and he headed over from close range.

Aberystwyth’s Will Bell and Sam Rodon, however, created an excellent defensive barrier in front of goal, and with skipper Luke Sherbon working hard just in front of the back four, the Seasiders held firm.

Then on 81 minutes, sub Jones ran at the heart of the Saints’ back four and earned himself a free kick, before rifling a brilliant strike right into the top corner for a certain Goal of the Month contender.

Luke Borrelli’s free kick was then nodded goalwards by sub Lewis Coyle as Aber threatened an incredible comeback, but the full-timers held out for the win they deserved.

THE NEW SAINTS: P Harrison, S Spender, C Marriott, J Routledge, C Seargeant, R Brobbel (R Parry 84), S Saunders, C Rawlinson, A Cieslewicz, S Quigley (G Draper 71), A Edwards (A Darlington 71). Subs not used: R Pryce, J Jones, A Wycherley (gk).

ABERYSTWYTH TOWN: D Richards, C Davies, S Rodon, W Bell, J Clarke, G Kellaway (L Coyle 75), L Sherbon, L Borrelli, G Walters (R Watts 71), R Wollacott, J Evans (C Jones 61). Unused: J Rimmer. Att: 279. Ref: R Harrington.