ABERYSTWYTH Town staged a stirring second half fightback as they overturned a two-goal deficit to register their fourth successive victory in the JD Welsh Premier, with a thrilling 3-2 win against Cardiff Met at Cyncoed Campus on Sunday.

First half goals from Will Evans and Sam Snaith put the hosts well in control at the break, but an inspired second half display saw Aber dramatically hit back.

Declan Walker crucially halved the deficit on 66 minutes, before a late equaliser from Ryan Wollacott with five minutes remaining looked to have earned a point.

But it got even better for the Seasiders when substitute Ashley Ruane smashed the ball into the top corner of the net in the fifth minute of stoppage time to clinch a last-gasp victory and ensure that Aber strengthened their grip on sixth place.

Manager Neville Powell made one change to the starting side that beat The New Saints at Park Avenue last weekend, with young central defender Lee Jenkins coming in to replace Jack Rimmer, after scoring the winner against the Saints.The students made the perfect start, however, as Will Evans picked up a loose ball and cut inside, before firing beyond Terry McCormick after seven minutes.

Aber then began to edge their way into the game, with winger Joe Phillips starting to get some joy down the left flanks.

Cutting inside, he curled a right-footed effort just wide of Alex Lang’s post.

Cardiff Met were relying on long throw-ins and direct balls over the top to create their best opportunities, while Aber failed to produce promising passages of play in the final third to threaten an equaliser.

Then, on 35 minutes, the hosts doubled their lead as Adam Roscrow latched on to a pass on the right flank before crossing for Sam Snaith, who headed beyond McCormick and into the net to make it 2-0.

Powell and assistant Gavin Allen shuffled their pack at half-time, with Ashley Ruane and Alan Goodall replacing Geoff Kellaway and Jenkins, as Aber switched formation in search of a way back in.

From the outset, the tempo and rhythm of their play increased, and Ruane linked up well with strike partner Rio Ahmadi, with Ryan Edwards offering extra width.

Wes Baynes saw a right footed effort sail over, before Paulo Mendes replaced Steff Edwards in the final throw of the dice.

Then, on 66 minutes, Aber found a way back into the game as Ruane skipped past Emlyn Lewis inside the penalty area, before providing a deep cross for captain Declan Walker to rise above the home defence and head beyond Lang for 2-1.

Urged on by their excellent travelling support, Aber slipped into another gear in the final 20 minutes remaining, camping themselves in the Cardiff Met half.

Mathew Jones tried his luck with an audacious bicycle kick that tested Lang, and Ruane smashed a curling effort straight at the home keeper as pressure mounted.

As the game entered into the final minutes, the Seasiders went for broke, as they earned a corner kick, after some neat inter-play between Edwards and Ahmadi.

Wes Baynes swung in an inviting flag kick, which Lang failed to deal with, and Wollacott was on hand to tap the ball into the net, to make it all square at 2-2.

Instead of settling for the draw, Aber still pushed on and on 87 minutes Met sub Rhys Thomas crashed into Goodall with a late challenge and was giving his marching orders for a second booking.

The fourth official indicated a minimum of three minutes of added time, and the Green Army sensed there may be one more moment of magic left in the game.

Then finally, in the fifth minute of additional time, Baynes played a ball forwards towards Ahmadi, whose flick on landed right in the path of Ruane, and he took one touch, before burying his shot into the top corner for a remarkable victory.

CARDIFF MET: A Lang, E Lewis, B Woolridge, J Edwards, K McCarthy, R Morgan, E Evans (G Williams 80 minutes), C Baker, W Evans, A Roscrow (R Thomas 71’), S Snaith (H Owen 84 minutes). Subs not used: M Neale, B Flay, L Black, M Manson (gk).

ABERYSTWYTH: T McCormick, W Baynes, S Edwards (P Mendes 65’), R Wollacott, G Kellaway (A Ruane 46’), P Ahmadi, D Walker, R Edwards, L Jenkins (A Goodall 46’), M Jones, J Phillips. Subs not used: J Rimmer, N Blake, C Morgan. Att: 256. Referee: D Morgan.