ABERYSTWYTH Town dared to believe as they led Welsh Premier League leaders The New Saints for almost half an hour, before Phil Draper struck either side of the half-time interval to secure a 2-1 victory at rain-swept Park Avenue on Friday evening.

Declan Walker gave the Seasiders a 15th minute lead with a simple tap-in, after good work by Ryan Wade, but the Saints were level shortly before half-time as Draper intercepted a poor back-pass and slotted past Chris Mullock at the second attempt, after his first effort was saved.

The winner arrived three minutes after the break as New Zealand international Draper met a Jamie Mullan cross from the left to force the ball home, under pressure from former Saints player John McKenna.

McKenna had replaced Joe Culshaw in an otherwise unchanged starting line-up to the side that had registered Aber’s first league win of the season at Llandudno, and the Seasiders made a confident start.

The hosts forced two early corners against a fierce wind, with John Owen forcing a reaction save from keeper Paul Harrison, but at the other end Ryan Brobbel tested keeper Chris Mullock, and Mullen was also then denied by his former team-mate, with a great save to his left.

It was Aber who made the breakthrough after a quarter of a hour as a brilliant flowing move, involving Ryan Wollacott and Matthew Jones was picked up by Ryan Wade, who ran at the Saints’ defence.

Wade played a neat one-two with Jones on the left, before firing a cross-come-shot across the penalty area, where Declan Walker was on hand to prod the ball home the opening goal for Nev Powell’s men.

Aber continued their counter-attacking game, with Ashley Young and Malcolm Melvin marshalling the midfield well as the Saints struggled to find their rhythm.

They did have a golden opportunity on 29 minutes when Draper dragged his shot wide of the post after being played clean through on goal, and Aber survived another scare on 37 minutes as Matthew Jones cleared off the line from a corner.

With half-time approaching, however, the visitors made a crucial breakthrough as Wade’s poor back pass was latched onto by Draper in the penalty area, and he forced an fine save from Mullock, before he managed to convert the rebound.

The Seasiders came out for the second half with the wind at their backs, looking to build on an encouraging first half performance, but their confidence took an early blow as the Saints soon made it 2-1.

Winger Jamie Mullan went on a weaving run down Aber’s right flank, before fizzing a low cross across the six-yard box, where McKenna was placed to unfortunately deflect the ball into his own net.

The visitors almost added a third goal soon after, as Chris Seargeant sent a free kick towards the top corner only to be denied by a great save by keeper Mullock.

Aber battled their way back into the game and continued to cause problems, with Ryan Wade shooting straight at keeper Paul Harrison, and standout local youngster Matthew Jones providing excellent width down the left flank.

Striker Craig Hobson was introduced in place of Luke Borrelli on 74 minutes as Aber pushed for an equaliser, and on 82 minutes they almost found one as Declan Walker stormed in at the far post only to head John Owen’s cross agonisingly over.

Declan Walker almost grabbed an equaliser when his header at the far post went the wrong side of the bar, but with three minutes to go, Jon Routledge’s shot from the edge of the penalty box went just wide.

Ashley Young again tried his best to create an opening for Aber in the dying seconds, as he launched a couple of long throws towards the penalty area, but the visitors stood strong and held out for the three points - as champions often do.

ABER: C Mullock, D Walker, J Spittle, R Wollacott, M Melvin, J Owen, L Borrelli (C Hobson), R Wade, M Jones, A Young, J McKenna. Subs not used: J Culshaw, J Rimmer, J Phillips, H Horwood, L Jenkins, H Rowe.

THE NEW SAINTS: P Harrison, S Spender, C Rawlinson, R Leak, J Routledge, C Seargeant (A Darlington 83), R Brobbel, G Draper (C Marriott 90’+2), T Holland, J Mullan, A Edwards. Subs not used: A Jones (gk), R Parry, C Roberts, B Clark, C Jones. Attendance: 389.Read assistant manager Wayne Jones' comments in this week's Aberystwyth edition