BALA Town climbed back up into third place in the Dafabet Welsh Premier League, with games in hand, when they returned to action with 3-1 away win at Rhyl on Tuesday night.

Kieran Smith missed an early chance to put the Lakesiders in front when he found the side netting, but he soon made amends with an excellent strike from the edge of the box.

Ian Sheridan doubled the lead on 37 minutes when he latched on to a through ball but, playing with the benefit of a strong wind after the break, Rhyl reduced the arrears through Derek Taylor.

Despite some strong home pressure, Bala were able to ride out the storm and settled the contest five minutes from time when Lee Hunt set-up Mike Hayes for the third goal.

The Lakesiders now have four successive home matches before the league split, starting with the return match against Rhyl at Maes Tegid on New Year’s Day (ko 2.30pm).

Read the full report in next week’s Meirionnydd edition.