BALA Town were left frustrated as hosts Bangor City came from behind to claim a share of the spoils in their rearranged Dafabet Welsh Premier League match at the Bangor City Stadium on Tuesday.

The Lakesiders had opened the scoring on 35 minutes when Ian Sheridan tapped home, but despite being pressed back for long periods, Bangor salvaged a point when young sub Shaun Cavanagh volleyed his first senior goal on 81 minutes.

City had started well, with Michael Elstone seeing his scissor kick go over the crossbar from Ryan Edwards’ delivery.

Bala’s Mike Hayes beat two men in their first attack, but saw his initial chance blocked, before David Thompson’s rebound was cleared by the City defence.

Bangor keeper Connor Roberts was also called into action early on when a Bala corner landed to Anthony Stephens on the 18 yard line, and he forced the shotstopper to tip over his pile-driving effort.

Stephens also headed over the crossbar from the resulting corner, and with Bala settling into a rhythm, Mike Hayes was unable to connect with Lee Hunt’s flick, and Sheridan curled an attempt wide of the far upright from Thompson’s assist.

Bala’s chances kept coming and Kieran Smith waltzed through the home defence, but his shot was saved by keeper Roberts, and then Leon Clowes had to put his body on the line to block Sheridan’s strike.

The visitors made the breakthrough when Sheridan drove forward and passed to Mark Jones, who turned well to set up Hunt in the box. The striker’s shot was parried away, but Sheridan pounced on the loose ball to tuck the ball into the net.

Minutes before the interval, Kieran Smith smashed the base of the post with his low drive, but immediately City countered and Ryan Edwards’ forced Ashley Morris to make a superb one-handed save to keep the Lakesiders’ lead intact.

Bangor started the second half brightly and Sion Edwards went close with a free kick, but Bala continued look dangerous as Hayes’ strike from an acute angle was saved by keeper Roberts, who also had to keep out a long range effort from Hunt.

Hayes delivered a teasing ball along the goalline to reach Hunt at the back post, but he turned his chance over the bar.

Christian Langos and then Shaun Cavanagh entered the fray for the hosts, and they were influential in the closing stages, with Edwards rattling the woodwork.

The visitors counter-attacked through Hayes, but his cross failed to find Hunt, and then keeper Roberts also denied Hayes as Bala failed to secure the three points.

Inevitably, with nine minutes left, Bangor drew back level when Welsh Colleges striker Cavanagh volleyed home from a Sion Edwards cross to restore parity.

Bangor pushed on, but at the death Bala might have nicked the win when Smith drove forward and found Sheridan in the box, but the forward saw his late strike saved by Roberts as honours ended even.

On Friday, the Lakesiders face a tough test away at unbeaten The New Saints.

BANGOR CITY: C Roberts, A Cummins, S Hart, L Clowes, M Woodward, A Young, C Jones, D Allen, R Edwards (S Cavanagh 75), M Elstone (C Langos 53), S Edwards. Subs not used: A Sarnowski (gk), I Hughes, P Warrington, I Emlyn Jones, A Pritchard.

BALA TOWN: A Morris, A Stephens, D Artell, J Irving, C Murtagh, M Jones (R Pearson 64), D Thompson, M Hayes, I Sheridan, K Smith, L Hunt. Subs not used: C Vernon (gk), S Jones, S Fisher, C Platt. Attendance: 324. Ref: M Petch.