LLANIDLOES Town salvaged a 2-2 draw with Carno in an incident-packed Spar Mid Wales League division one derby at Victoria Avenue, with the visitors with just nine men on the field.

The draw sees Llani remain in ninth spot in the table, whilst third-placed Carno are 11 points off top spot, with two games in hand on the league leaders.

“We’ve drawn with Carno twice this season, and we feel that we’ve been the better side on both occasions,” said Llanidloes boss Hugh Clarke.

“This was a game we should have won. The pitch was heavy, but perfectly playable. We hit the post and the ball ran along the line, we also hit the bar, and we were the better team.

“Carno had a good 15 minute spell at the end of the first half, and a 15 minute spell in the second half.

“We felt it was two points dropped, which is disappointing as we need a few wins to get us up the table.”

Rhys Evans had put the Daffs in front in heavy conditions, despite appeals from for offside, but Carno battled back with Peter Rees firing wide from long range, and Andrew Evans having his low shot parried away.

They equalised, however, on the half hour, when Ioan Humphreys crossed for an unmarked Peter Rees to head home from close range.

Just on the hour mark, Carno went ahead when Peter Rees found Richie Evans all alone at the back post, and he made no mistake when firing past the home keeper from 12 yards out.

Just moments after Rhys Evans was denied by the woodwork at the other end, and Carno then had scorer Rees sent off for kicking out at Steve Jones.

Ioan Humphreys was also then red-carded for a wild lunge on Josh Evans, to leave them with nine men.

With five minutes remaining, Ed Clarke levelled with a well-taken strike from outside the penalty box, but the Daffs were unable to find a winner, despite their late pressure.

Hay St Mary’s had to settle for a 2-2 draw at home with Welshpool Town.

Despite holding the upper hand in the first half, Welshpool went ahead at the interval, courtesy of a near post header by Dan Bowen from a corner.

The Saints’ pressure was finally rewarded with a 25 yard left footed strike from skipper Brendan Hackett, but within 60 seconds Sam Bowers had weaved his way past two home defenders to restore Pool’s lead.

The home side dominated the last 20 minutes, and with seven minutes to go Steve Morgan crossed from the left and under pressure the young full back scored an own goal for 2-2.

With leaders Rhayader seeing their scheduled match at home to Montgomery postponed, second-placed Berriew missed a chance to close in as they lost 3-1 away at Llanrhaeadr.

Goals by Iwan Matthews and Iain Edmunds, with a brace, sealed a pleasing win for the home side, whilst Rich Davies netted for the Berriew.

Two goals from Joey Price and a Elliot Morris goal earned Radnor Valley a 3-1 win over Machynlleth, with Sion Williams scoring for Mach, whilst Bow Street’s match at Knighton was abandoned due to a nasty injury that saw Dylan James suffer a broken leg.

• Chris Davies has confirmed that he will be stepping down as manager of Carno at the end of their current Spar Mid Wales League campaign.

“It wasn’t an easy decision and there are a few reasons, but I just felt it was the right time,” said Davies.

“We’ve achieved a lot since I arrived, both on and off the pitch, but now is not the time to think about that, there’s still a lot to play for this season, we’re in three Cups and we still have a chance at the league title.

“I want the focus for the remainder of the season to be on the football and nothing else. I’ll be doing everything that I can to make sure that this season finishes with another trophy.”

Having been in charge since the 2013/14 season, the club has achieved three consecutive top four finishes in division one, and they are well placed to repeat that again this season.

Davies will look to add to Montgomeryshire Cup and Central Wales Senior Challenge Cup triumphs in his remaining few months in charge.