AN EARLY strike by Kieran Smith proved enough for Bala Town as they edged a narrow 1-0 victory over Carmarthen Town at Richmond Park to move six points clear of third-placed rivals Gap Connah’s Quay.

The Lakesiders made the perfect start when David Thompson’s long throw found its way to Smith on the edge of the 18 yard box, and he drove home the opening goal after just two minutes to play.

Bala set the early tempo, and Anthony Stephens’ corner was met by Stuart Jones, who saw his firm header deflected wide.

Mike Hayes’ strike was also deflected away, and then home keeper Lee Idzi also saved after a scramble in the penalty box.

A Thompson’s pass then set Smith free, but the goalkeeper cleared the danger.

The rest of the first-half was more open and evenly balanced with the play shifting briskly from end to end, and Stephens’ pile-driver from 30 yards blazed over.

At the other end, Declan Carroll slid a fine pass through to Liam Griffiths who turned his marker before hitting a fierce drive that flew just wide of the post.

Then on 35 minutes Carroll’s corner-kick into a packed goalmouth reached Liam Thomas, who cleverly chipped the ball over several defenders, but keeper Ashley Morris stretched high to claim it.

In a scrappy second half, Chris Venables flicked the ball over from six yards, following a free kick, and as Bala applied the pressure Ryan Wade forced Idzi into a clearance after brilliant work in midfield.

Keeper Morris then released the ball quickly, picking out Smith who flicked it on to Hayes but he failed to capitalise.

Chances kept coming for Bala as Venables bundled the ball wide from close range, after a Stephens delivery, and Stuart Jones headed wide after a corner kick.

The Lakesiders did have the ball in the net when Smith broke though the defence, but a late flag deemed his goal offside.

Then, when a free kick was swung into the box, Hayes saw his shot blocked, before Smith’s follow up was well-saved.

At the other end sub Luke Cummings launched a long throw into the penalty area to find Ceri Morgan, who drilled the ball through a crowd of players, only for Morris to clear it off the goal-line to safety.

New signing Jordan Evans came on to replace Hayes with 15 minutes left on the clock and he was in the thick of the action straight away as he put a teasing ball into the area, but no-one was able to meet it.

Wade then cut inside from the right and drove the ball across the face of the goal, but Kyle Bassett made a timely clearance.

Carmarthen were denied an equaliser in injury time when Morris was quickly out of his goal to block Bassett’s angled drive.

Then, deep into added time, Wade raced clear to the edge of the penalty area and fired towards the unguarded goal only for the ball to drift just wide of the far post.

CARMARTHEN: L Idzi, D Sheehan (L Cummings 59), C Hanford, D Vincent, L Surman, D Bailey (M Thomas 71), C Morgan, K Lewis, L Griffihs, D Carroll (K Bassett 66), L Thomas. Unused: I Roberts, R Cole, D Thomas.

BALA: A Morris, A Stephens, S Jones, SJ Jones, J Irving, M Jones, R Wade, C Venables, D Thompson, M Hayes (J Evans 75), K Smith (M Connolly 90). Unused: R Goldston, R Valentine, W Bell. Referee: Lee Evans. Att: 356.