LLANIDLOES Town boss Hugh Clarke praised his side’s resolve in the last game of 2018 - as they consolidated top spot in the MMP Mid Wales League division one with a hard-fought 1-0 win at Bow Street.

After having Ryan Biggs contentiously sent off with half an hour remaining, the Daffs had to dig deep to return with the points, with a goal from George Clarke.

“It’s a few years since Llanidloes have been top,” said Clarke. “We said it was no use beating Caersws on Boxing Day if we then go to Bow Street and lose, and the lads have really rolled up their sleeves.

“We could have been three or four goals up in the first half, we were decent, but when we had Ryan Biggs sent off for nothing in the second half, and we really had to dig in for the last half hour.

“We’ve got a good squad now, and everyone chipped in to keep another clean sheet, which was also pleasing to see.”

Llani had the better of the first half, taking the lead when a rasping 25-yard strike from Ash Owen rattled the bar, and George Clarke converted the rebound.

Clarke and Llion Jenkins were both a handful, and the visitors had further chances in the first period, with Peter Rees having a penalty saved, while Jenkins headed against the bar from a Rees corner.

It was back to the walls after having Biggs red-carded, but the Daffs were in no mood to relinquish their lead as some resolute defending made it back-top-back league wins over the Christmas period.

Rivals Caersws bounced back from their Boxing Day defeat to the Daffs as they went into the New Year within a single point of the leaders, after taking the derby honours in a solid 3-0 derby win at Carno.

Top scorer Mark Edmondson opened the scoring after half an hour when he capitalised on a defensive mistake to coolly lift the ball over the home goalkeeper.

Seven minutes later, Lance Jones calmly volleyed home from 12 yards after being picked out by Edmondson for a 2-0 lead at the interval, and it was all over five minutes after the break when Lance Jones beat three men in the box and finished well, after being released by Charlie Gordon.

Aberaeron completed their 2018 schedule with a comfortable 2-0 win over Tywyn Bryncrug, which will give them plenty of optimism going into the New Year.

The Black and Ambers gave a debut to centre-back Sam Middleton, who looked impressive in defence and bringing the ball out of the back four, and there was no way through for the frustrated visitors.Front runners Ifan Burrell and Chris Wilkins looked dangerous, and it was no surprise when Aberaeron took the lead. Burrell latched on to the ball just inside the Tywyn half and breezed past two defenders to drill home.

Aberaeron continued to dominate but Tywyn worked hard and made it difficult for them, and 1-0 at half time was a testament to the doggedness of the visitors.

The second half saw Wilkins continue to give his opposite number a tough time, sending over some dangerous crosses.

It was from one of these that a second goal arrived when Gareth Severs latched on to a ball from the flank, and he needed no invitation in dispatching the ball with aplomb for another goal in what is turning out to be a prolific season for him.

Aberaeron created chance after chance, but they were unable to increase their lead, and they brought on three substitutes which included a home debut for Niall Coleridge, who looked impressive with his running, passing and dead ball play.

Elsewhere Richard Davies and Charlie Humphreys both scored twice as Berriew ended 2018 with a comfortable 6-0 away win at Churchstoke, with Steffan Rogers and Joe Haycock also on the scoresheet.

Ten-man Kerry found themselves 4-1 down with 20 minutes left to play at home to Llansantffraid, but despite ending the game with just nine men they drew 4-4.

Max Mclaughlin gave the Lambs a very early lead, before Mark Hughes set the comeback in motion, with Luke Mumford securing the hosts a point with a brace.

Llandrindod Wells toasted a 2-0 win at home to derby rivals Radnor Valley with Ashley Jones and Ryan Sims securing the spoils at Broadway, whilst Llanfair United and Welshpool Town lost ground on the leading pack with a goalless stalemate in front of a big crowd at Mount Field.