BALA Town’s winless run in the JD Welsh Premier League extended to five matches as rivals Bangor City moved back to the top of the with a 1-0 win at Maes Tegid.

The winning goal arrived on 74 minutes as debutant James Demetriou beat keeper Ashley Morris with a long range effort after coming-on as a half-time substitute.

The result saw Bala slip to third-from-bottom in the table, with just two wins from eight outings, and Colin Caton will be looking for a positive response against Newtown at Latham Park on Thursday.

Boosted by the return of Conall Murtagh into the starting line-up, Bala began brightly with Jordan Evans forcing keeper Conor Roberts to push away his low strike in the opening minute of the game.

City responded with Laurence Wilson seeing his half chance cleared, and Steven Hewitt firing over the crossbar, but Bala then got back on the front foot, with Evans’ free kick taking a deflection that was easily picked up by keeper Roberts.

Down the other end, Dean Rittenberg’s powerful strike from a tight angle was brilliantly palmed away by Morris, and Hewitt unleashed a rocket that flew wide.

The Lakesiders ended the half well, and Lee Owens’ delivery was flicked on by Les Davies to Nathan Burke, who saw his chance hacked away, before Stuart J Jones flicked a header wide from a free kick.

Evans curled a 25 yard free kick narrowly over the far upright, before a spectacular long range shot from Andrai Jones whistled wide as the half ended goalless.

Bala also began the second half brightly, but they just couldn’t break down the City backline. Evans saw a strike blocked, Ian Sheridan’s cross was headed away, and Jones smashed the ball over the bar.

A corner then saw Stuart Jones head towards goal, but he was unable to get enough power to get the ball over the line.

Then, with 75 minutes gone, City finally made the breakthrough when debutant sub Demetriou’s shot swerved around Morris and into the net from 25 yards.

Bala battled on, with Davies heading wide, before a back heel from Davies following Burke’s throughball went narrowly wide, and Evans went close again in the closing stages but Bangor held firm.

BALA TOWN: A Morris, S Jones, S J Jones, L Owens, E Horwood (R Valentine 21 minutes), C Murtagh, N Burke, J Evans, I Sheridan (M Hayes 77 minutes), A Jones, L Davies. Substitutes not used: C Vernon (gk), W Bell, G Rule.

BANGOR: C Roberts, D Holmes, T Kennedy, L Wall, A Miley, B Shaw (J Demetriou 46’), G Taylor-Fletcher, D Allen, S Hewitt, D Rittenberg (G Harry 88’), L Wilson. Subs: A Cayola, M Hall (gk), S Edwards, G Williams, C Owen. Attendance: 274. Referee: D Morgan.