A HARD-WORKING performance by Bala Town was not quite enough to earn a deserved draw, as newly-crowned champions The New Saints moved 23 points clear at the top with a 3-2 win at Park Hall on Sunday.

Stuart J Jones had headed the Lakesiders into a 42nd minutes lead, but the Saints were back on level terms soon after the interval through an Adrian Cieslewicz goal.

The game was heading for a draw until, four minutes from time, Cieslewicz was brought down in the box and sub Alex Darlington slotted home the penalty.

In the final minute, Darlington turned provider with a cross that was converted by Jamie Mullan, and although Bala replied through an Ian Sheridan strike, it was too late to raise hopes of an equalise.

A bright start from the Saints had seen Wes Fletcher beat the Bala offside trap, but he turned his effort around the post.

Keeper Ashley Morris also made two excellent saves to deny Ryan Brobbel as Colin Caton’s men weathered the storm.

At the othe end, Chris Venables’ free kick went over the bar, whilst Ryan Wade’s cleared cross arrived at Conall Murtagh, who drove his shot over the woodwork.

The Saints created the better chances to break the deadlock, however, and Connell Rawlinson headed wide of the upright.

It was Bala who made the breakthrough, however, as Anthony Stephens whipped the ball in towards Murtagh, and it was flicked on towards defender Stuart J Jones, who powered home his header.

The lead was short-lived as two minutes into the second half, a cross from the right came to Cieslewicz, who seemed to take the ball out of Morris’ hands to slot home.

The Saints cranked up their pressure. but Morris was producing a man of the match display, making a fine double save to keep Cieslewicz and Brobbel at bay.

Venables came close at the other end when he headed wide at the back post, after a good move, and Jordan Evans’ shot was also claimed by keeper Paul Harrison.

Jamie Mullan put in a brilliant cross which went begging as the Saints looked to take the lead - and with six minutes left on the clock, Cieslewicz was brought down in the area for Darlington to dispatch the penalty into the left corner.

It became 3-1 when a counter-attack from Alex Darlington saw the delivered in and Mullan slid in at back post to score.

In injury time, Bala broke down the right wing to put in a superb ball, which birthday boy Ian Sheridan volleyed home to bring the score to 3-2, but unfortunately it was too late for Bala to salvage a point.

TNS: P Harrison, S Spender, C Marriott, J Routledge, R Brobbel (A Darlington 73), W Fletcher (G Draper 64), J Mullan, S Saunders (M Leca 46), C Rawlinson, A Cieslewicz, A Edwards. Subs not used: S Quigley, J Farleigh, R Pryce, A Wycherley (gk).

BALA: A Morris, A Stephens, S Jones, S J Jones, J Irving, C Murtagh, R Wade (I Sheridan 84), C Venables, D Thompson, J Evans (M Hayes 77), K Smith. Subs not used: R Goldston (gk), R Valentine, W Bell, M Jones. Attendance: 324.