SECOND-placed Bala Town put themselves in pole position to clinch an automatic Europa League spot after they claimed a goalless draw against third-placed rivals Llandudno at Maes Tegid.

The result kept the Lakesiders two points clear of Alan Morgan’s side, but they still need a positive result at Gap Connah’s Quay to guarantee runners-up spot for the second season running.

Needing a win to secure their qualification for Europe, Bala made a bright start, with Nathan Burke having two early chances cleared, but at the other end Liam Dawson also came close for the visitors but Bala were able to get the ball away.

A free kick by John Irving was punched away by visiting keeper Roberts, and Kieran Smith then saw his powerful strike from the edge of the penalty box blocked.

Stuart Jones also directed a header goalwards, but Roberts collected comfortably, and as the half progressed, Llandudno started to step things up themselves.

A header from Dawson rattled the post, from James Joyce’s delivery, and Lee Thomas curled a shot over from close range - but Bala weathered the pressure and they then finished the opening period on top.

Ian Sheridan was picked out by Connall Murtagh, but he curled his strike wide of the upright, and Burke also saw a chance cleared, before Sheridan again broke free and drove his opportunity over the bar.

Bala came closer still in first half injury time as a spectacular dipping half volley from Mark Connolly looped over keeper Roberts, but bounced off the woodwork.

The resulting corner then saw Stuart Jones’ powerful header hit the crossbar, but the visitors held on until the interval.

The visitors were playing into the sun’s glare in the second half, and Irving saw a long range shot well saved by Roberts.

Connolly played the ball into Smith’s path, but he fired over, and Sheridan went one-on-one with Roberts but a back-tracking Danny Taylor made a crucial block.

At the other end Morris kept out a low curling effort from Marc Williams, and it took a perfectly timed tackle from Stuart Jones to deny Lewis Buckley in the area.

As the game became increasingly scrappy, Marc Williams headed over from close range for the visitors - but with five minutes left, Bala striker Lee Hunt met a pin-point cross from Smith and headed wide from five yards out at the back post.

BALA TOWN: A Morris, R Valentine, A Stephens, S Jones, J Irving, C Murtagh, M Connolly, N Burke (M Jones 75), I Sheridan, K Smith, L Hunt (M Hayes 90+2). Subs not used: C Vernon (gk), W Bell, D Thompson, C Platt.

LLANDUDNO: D Roberts, D Taylor, J Joyce, D Hughes, L Thomas, M Williams, D Shaw, M Williams, L Dawson (G Tom Dix), L Buckley (J Reed 80). Subs not used: M Johnston, L Riley, C Tierney, S McCaffery. Attendance: 371.