STEVE Tames’ seventh goal of the season and a Keiran Smith winner helped to ensure that Bala Town moved back up to fourth position in the JD Welsh Premier League with a 2-1 victory away at 10-man Carmarthen Town.

Tames had given the Lakesiders an early lead at Richmond Park, but Declan Carroll managed to bring the home side level before the interval.

Luke Bowen was sent-off for the hosts after picking up two quick bookings, and it was Kieran Smith who secured Bala’s first away win of the season 18 minutes from time.

The match marked the midway point of the first half of the season, with Bala looking to repeat their 2-1 win over their opponents in August.Henry Jones’ sixth minute effort was pushed away after some brilliant build-up play down the left, and Nathan Burke curled an effort wide of goal a minute later from 25 yards.

A through-ball from Danny Gosset then carved open the Old Gold’s defence, which allowed Jones to break through, but he failed to hit the target.

Further Bala pressure saw Jones and Chris Venables link up and release Tames but the striker was deemed offside with only keeper Lee Idzi to beat.

Bala made the breakthrough on 16 minutes when a short corner was taken and Ian Sheridan delivered a deep cross to Tames at the back post, who headed home from a very tight angle.

Carmarthen made a positive respone and applied a good spell of pressure, firing over from distance and blazing a great chance over, but Bala should have doubled their lead when Sheridan’s fantastic cross was directed narrowly over by Venables.

Six minutes before half-time, however, Carmarthen were back on level terms as Tyrrell Webbe’s cross from the left was not dealt with, and Carroll to fire in low into the bottom corner.

Another home chance flashed across the face of Ashley Morris’ goal, but down the other end Tames’ forced a save from Idzi from a tight angle.

Kieran Smith replaced Henry Jones at the break due to injury, and Bala began the second half like they started the first with plenty of possession.

A long range effort by Sean Smith landed on the roof of the net, and another cross was not dealt with, but Bala weren’t able to take advantage.

Carmarthen were reduced to 10 men when Luke Bowen was sent off for a foul on Stuart Jones, and Bala’s chances were building with Kieran Smith’s 20 yard shot being saved by Idzi.

Tames then released Smith, who tested the home keeper, before their perseverance paid off on 72 minutes.

A fantastic ball came through to Kieran Smith, who turned the defender and slotted the ball into the far corner of the net, to restore Bala’s lead.

Late pressure came, but Bala’s backline stood strong to ensure the three points were going back up north.

CARMARTHEN: L Idzi, J Vickers, D Vincent, L Baldwin (L Surman 77 minutes), T Webbe, J Knott, M Davies, D Carroll, L Thomas, L Bowen, S Hanbury (C Hanford 75’). Subs not used: J Woodford, D Thomas, N Smothers.

BALA: A Morris, A Burns, S Smith, S J Jones, S Jones, D Gosset, C Venables, N Burke, I Sheridan (M Hayes 80’), S Tames, H Jones (K Smith 47’). Subs not used: A Miley, R Valentine, V Charles (gk). Attendance: 247. Referee: Dean John.