HONOURS ended even in a hard-fought physical game between the rivals for runners-up spot as Gap Connah’s Quay Nomads maintained their three-point advantage in a goalless draw with Bala Town at Maes Tegid.

Bala, looking to bounce back from their 2-0 defeat at home to Rhyl, had to settle for a goalless draw in the end, but both sides were left to rue missed chances.

Nomads’ Matty Owen offered an early warning when his header was well saved by goalkeeper Ashley Morris, but Bala settled into the game after the early pressure.

Kieran Smith sliced a shot over the goal after good work by Chris Venables, who also brought the ball down for Mike Hayes, but his effort went wide of the upright.

As the game opened up, both teams looked to break the deadlock, with Hayes’ diving header at the back post going just wide for Bala, whilst at the other end a free-kick from 25 yards by Wes Baynes dipped inches over the top corner.

John Irving pulled a strike wide from 35 yards, but Bala keeper Morris also made a fantastic save to push Nathan Woolfe’s effort out for a corner before the interval.

The second half was better by the Lakesiders and Mark Connolly saw his 18 yard free kick brilliantly tipped over by Danby.

Bala were seeing more of the ball, but it was still a gruelling midfield battle, with the two defences also working very hard.

Just before the hour mark, Nomads’ striker Les Davies sent a header over from 10 yards, after Wes Baynes’ quality cross.

Sub Ryan Wignall, making his Nomads debut after replacing Matty Williams, beat Bala’s midfield on the left and new signing Kai Edwards sent a header just over.

Wade and Ian Sheridan came on to replace Connolly and Hayes in a bid to freshen things up for the Lakesiders.

The two substitutes linked up when Wade broke quickly down the wing, but the cross was cleared by the Nomads.

In the closing stages it was an end-to-end battle, with sub Michael Wilde heading the ball low against Bala’s left post from a Ryan Wignall cross in the 84th minute.

Venables sent an effort goalwards from seven yards out, but Danby made a good low save, as the game ended goalless.

BALA TOWN: A Morris, J Irving, SJ Jones, S Jones, D Thompson, N Burke, M Connolly (I Sheridan 77), M Hayes (R Wade 62), K Smith, C Murtagh, C Venables. Subs not used: R Goldston (gk), R Valentine, L Owens, M Jones.

GAP CONNAH’S QUAY: J Danby, J Disney, K Edwards, G Horan, L Davies (M Wilde 83), M Williams (R Wignall 64), S Smith, N Woolfe, J Owen, M Owen, W Baynes. Subs not used: T Field, C Morris, L Short, J Manley (GK), C Harwood. Attendance: 176. Referee: Dean John.