A BRACE from Kieran Smith saw Bala Town keep their hopes of clinching an automatic Europa League place alive with a 2-1 win at Bangor City last Friday.

After resisting home pressure in the first half, the Lakesiders took the lead nine minutes into the second half when a Chris Venables shot was parried by home keeper Connor Roberts, and Smith was on hand to net the rebound from close range.

City responded quickly as Anthony Miley headed home at the near post from a set-piece delivery, but Bala got the winner after 68 minutes as John Irving’s cross was fired home by Smith for a crucial win.

It means Bala are level on points with Gap Connahs Quay, who moved above the Lakesiders in midweek with a 2-1 win over champions The New Saints.

After a very encouraging performance, manager Colin Caton is looking for his side to maintain momentum against Cardiff Met at Cyncoed Campus on Saturday.

"It was as big a result as we’ve had this season against Bangor,” said Caton.

“The points differential was massive. Had we lost, Bangor would have been just two points behind us. As it is, we are now eight points clear of them.

“I’m really proud of the lads, who again showed their character and spirit. It was a tough night.

"The traffic going to the game was horrendous as nine of the team did not arrive until 30 minutes before kick off.

“We were against the wind in the first half, but Bangor did not create a lot. In the second half, we played really well and had chances to have killed them off.”

After last Sunday’s loss at The New Saints, the pressure was on Colin Caton’s men to bounce back at wet and windy Nantporth.

They could have taken the lead in the first minute, when a quick burst of pace from Smith caught City napping and his shot from 25 yards out was tipped over.

The home side applied pressure after the early scare, Henry Jones saw his shot blocked, prior to Ashley Morris smothering Dean Rittenberg’s effort minutes later.

A good passage of play from the Lakesiders saw Jordan Evans fire his strike past the post, before he combined with Ryan Wade, but the winger wasn’t able to keep the ball in play on the zippy surface.

At the other end a strike from Gary Taylor-Fletcher flashed across the face of goal, before Jones blazed over the woodwork.

Bala’s backline were putting their bodies on the line with John Irving, David Thompson and the two Stuart Jones keeping Bangor at bay, clearing Laurence Wilson’s free-kick and then deflecting Rittenberg’s opportunity around the post.

Bala’s Ryan Wade pulled his low strike wide of the post, and Chris Venables’ dipping free kick narrowly went over after Thompson was clattered by Brad Jackson.

The visitors maintained momentum after the break, and when Venables forced a save by Connor Roberts, Smith pounced on the loose ball to score on 52 minutes.

That lead was short-lived, however, as Anthony Miley shook off his marker and was picked out at the near post from a corner to head home on the hour mark.

Bala responded well and John Irving’s fantastic delivery arrived to substitute Ian Sheridan at the back post, but he placed his shot narrowly wide of the upright.

A mix up at the back by City then saw Paul Connolly back-pass to Roberts and referee Iwan Griffith awarded a free-kick on the edge of the six yard box, but Venables drove his shot high over the bar.

The winner, however, arrived when a brilliant run by Evans saw him fouled, but a fantastic advantage allowed Irving to whip in a pin-point low delivery for Smith to nestle the ball into the bottom corner.

Smith also completed a hat-trick when he flicked his header wide, and Sheridan lobbed over as Bala finished on top.

BANGOR: C Roberts, L Wilson (S Edwards 85), P Connolly, D Gosset, A Miley, Y Baio (D Allen 75), B Jackson, H Jones, D Nardiello, D Rittenberg (R Branco 66), G Taylor-Fletcher. Unused subs: M Hall, A Boss, S Cavanagh, C Aziamale.

BALA TOWN: A Morris, J Irving, A Stephens, S J Jones, S Jones, D Thompson, C Murtagh, R Wade (I Sheridan 60), C Venables, J Evans, K Smith (M Hayes 90). Unused subs: R Goldston, W Bell, M Jones, L Hunt. Attendance: 446.