BALA Town’s fine unbeaten run extended to five games in the JD Welsh Premier League as they left it late to secure a well-deserved 1-1 draw against high-flying Gap Connah’s Quay at Maes Tegid on Friday.

Michael Wilde had fired Nomads into the lead on 37 minutes, but the Lakesiders had the better of the second half exchanges, before Chris Venables netted an 85th minute penalty to earn the Lakesiders a point.

“I thought it was a good game, Connah’s Quay were outstanding for the first 20 minutes, but then we changed things about and dealt with them a lot better,” said Bala boss Colin Caton.

“They are so difficult to break down, and you start to think it’s not going to be your night, but we kept going and a good move led to the penalty, and we definitely deserved something.

“That’s five games unbeaten, and after four wins, this was a good point for us against a very good team.

“There are not many teams who will take a point off them, and they could have gone top tonight, but it is a credit to where we are at the moment, and where we’re heading for.”

Nomads started well, with Nathan Woolfe sending a header close to the Bala goal, and Matty Owen fired an 18 yard effort over the home crossbar.

A 25 yard strike from Jordan Evans whistled narrowly wide, but it was Michael Wilde who broke the deadlock at the other end on 37 minutes.

Callum Morris linked up well with Nathan Woolfe and crossed the ball in for the former TNS striker to expertly head the ball into the net.

The Lakesiders started the second half brightly and a low Jordan Evans shot was stopped by the legs of John Danby, and another Evans shot minutes later was fired over the crossbar.

Bala were building pressure, but the visitors almost scored a second goal when sub Michael Bakare’s volley forced a save from Ashley Morris.

Bakare also sent a corner into the Bala box which went off the underside of the crossbar, and then saw his effort rattle the inside of the crossbar before the ball bounced safely away.

The Lakesiders, however, dominated the closing stages and Les Davies’ free kick was struck into Danby’s hands, before Davies again was involved in a move that led to the ball be cleared out for a corner kick.

With only five minutes left to play, Caton’s men finally got their reward.

Andrai Jones was sent tumbling in the six yard box and referee Kevin Parry pointed to the spot - and Venables coolly stepped up to convert.

The Lakesiders pushed on for a late winner, but Nomads’ held off the late pressure to see the points shared.

BALA: A Morris, R Valentine, S Jones, S J Jones, C Venables, N Burke, J Evans (A Jones 76'), M Hayes (D Thompson 16'), I Sheridan (E Horwood 76'), G Rule, L Davies. Not used: C Vernon (gk), W Bell.

CONNAH’S QUAY: J Danby, M Wilde, N Woolfe (M Bakare 58'), R Wignall (J Heath 90'), K Edwards, G Horan, M Pearson, S Smith, D Harrison, C Morris, M Owen (J Owen 72'). Mot used: J Phillips, 10. M Williams. Attendance: 203. Ref: K Parry.