BALA Town moved level on points with Gap Connah’s Quay Nomads in the race for runners-up spot within the Dafabet Welsh Premier as they registered an action-packed 3-2 win over fourth-placed Bangor City at Maes Tegid on Saturday.Bangor's Dan Nardiello had cancelled out Chris Venables’ 45th minute opening goal, but then an Anthony Stephens penalty put the Lakesiders back in control.

The Citizens’ Gary Roberts, who had missed a first half penalty, was then sent off for a wild lunge on David Thompson.

Bala took advantage when Stuart J Jones doubled the lead on 71 minutes, and although Brazillian Rodrigo Branco scored a flamboyant 91st minute reply, Colin Caton’s men emerged as deserved winners on the day.

Early Bala chances saw Lee Hunt’s header saved by Connor Roberts and Venables unleashed a long range effort, which forced a full length save from the keeper.

From the corner striker Hunt netted, but he had climbed on the City defender.

Stephens was at the heart of all things good for Bala, crossing for Venables, who lashed well wide, and then from his free-kick Hunt headed high and wide.Then, on 26 minutes, Bangor attacked and a trip by Connall Murtagh on Henry Jones resulted in a penalty, but Gary Roberts sliced wide of the right hand post.

With the tackles flying in, referee Tom Williams showed yellow cards to Bala’s Stuart J Jones and Anthony Stephens, whilst Danny Gosset and Damien Allen also went into the book for the Citizens.

Bala were dealt a blow when Hunt hobbled off on the half hour mark, but they could have taken the lead when Venables’ superb free kick crashed against the bar.

Bangor, however, nearly took the lead as Henry Jones released Laurence Wilson on the left to cross for Dean Rittenberg, who headed straight at keeper Ashley Morris.

Wilson also had to be replaced for the visitors by Jack Metcalfe before the break, but then Damien Allen crossed for Rittenberg, who headed wide from 10 yards.

There was still time for Taylor Fletcher to cross for Gary Roberts, who headed wide, before the deadlock was broken. Deep into first half injury time, the influential Stephens bent the ball in and Venables headed it home from close range.

Looking to build on the goal in the second half, Bala forced a couple of early corners, with Stuart Jones going close.

Kieran Smith was yellow carded for a trip on Gary Roberts, and Henry Jones tried a shot from the edge of the box, but Morris pushed the ball wide for a corner.

Then on 54 minutes Bangor were level as Jones crossed the ball in and Dan Nardiello headed home, despite a desperate clearance over the line from Kieran Smith.

When Stuart Jones fouled Dan Nardiello on the edge of the penalty box, he followed his namesake in the referee’s book, after some confusion from the official.

Henry Jones sent the resulting free kick against the crossbar, with Morris beaten, but then Bala broke to feed Ryan Wade whose cross-shot flashed across goal.

Rittenberg then hit the bar from distance and Dan Nardiello reacted first to convert, but the linesman was quick to rule offside.

Then on 70 minutes Sergio Uyi tracked and tackled Ian Sheridan on the right, and after consultation with his linesman referee Williams awarded the penalty kick.

Gary Roberts was booked for dissent, and Anthony Stephens sent Connor Roberts the wrong way to restore Bala’s lead.

It was Gary Roberts who then took centre stage as he made a reckless lunge on left back Thompson, which earned him a straight red card - on his own birthday.

Six minutes later Jack Metcalfe conceded a free kick on the right, Stephens crossed it in and Stuart J Jones jumped above Gary Fletcher Taylor to head the ball home.

Substitute Mike Hayes went close with a back to goal effort which flew just wide and Connor Roberts saved well from both Ian Sheridan and Mike Hayes late on.

In added time, however, there was still time for some Brazilian magic as Bradley Jackson slid the ball through for Rodrigo Branco, who raced past Ashley Morris and finished with a rabona from six yards.

BALA: A Morris, A Stephens, S Jones, S J Jones, J Irving, C Murtagh, R Wade, C Venables (M Jones 78), D Thompson, K Smith (M Hayes 85), L Hunt (I Sheridan 36). Not used: R Goldston (gk), W Bell, M Connolly, J Darlington.

BANGOR CITY: C Roberts, L Wilson (J Metcalfe 44), P Connolly, S Uyi, H Jones, G Roberts, D Gosset, D Allen (B Jackson 72), D Nardiello (R Branco 86), D Rittenberg, G Taylor-Fletcher. Subs not used: A Sarnowski (gk), Y Baio, S Cavanagh, A Miley. Att: 307.