BALA Town once again failed to find the net as they settled for a goalless draw against Carmarthen Town in midweek - and manager Colin Caton will be eager to end the goal drought at Gap Connah’s Quay on Saturday (5.15pm).

The Lakesiders have not scored in open play in four attempts this season, and have to look as far back as March to the last time they found the net other than from the penalty spot, when Lee Hunt netted against Airbus UK on Good Friday.

Looking to bounce back from their 2-0 defeat to Bangor City, Bala were back on the road on Tuesday night for their first ’home’ fixture against the Old Gold at Newtown’s Latham Park, but again they were left to rue missed chances.

Ryan Wade, Mike Hayes and Stuart Jones were introduced to starting line-up, to replace Ian Sheridan, Ryan Edwards and Stuart J Jones, and Caton’s men began confidently.

Summer signing Chris Venables, last season’s Welsh Premier Golden Boot for Aberystwyth, saw a header fly narrowly over the crossbar, and Anthony Stephens’ headed Nathan Burke’s promising cross wide of the post.

Mark Connolly also came close after quarter of an hour with a spectacular curling half volley, which swung inches around the far post from the edge of the penalty box.

Carmarthen, however, almost punished them when Mark Jones scooped the ball over the bar with their best chance of the half, after a chest back by defender Jones to keeper Alex Lynch had lacked strength.

Bala created the better chances in the second half, and Connolly’s long throw was flicked wide by Hayes, before the two combined again, with Hayes misjudging the bounce of the ball before it was cleared.

Ryan Valentine drilled a free kick into the Carmarthen box, without reward, and when Lee Owens swung in another dangerous cross, the ball was hacked away by the Old Gold's defence.

Stuart Jones came closest to breaking the deadlock when his rocket shot from 35 yards out smashed the base of the post - and Bala’s pressure was building.

They were denied again by the woodwork when Hayes found Venables unmarked, but his shot rattled the bottom of the post and rebounded back out - and that summed up Bala’s night.

The Lakesiders' work-rate has been faultless this season, and manager Caton can only hope that the goals will come if his side continue to show the same desire.

This weekend Bala will still be without Kieran Smith through injury - but David Thompson will return following suspension and sorely-missed striker Lee Hunt is also expected to make a welcome return to the fold.It is still early days in the season, but goals will clearly be at the top of Bala’s agenda when they travel to the Deeside for the live televised match this weekend.

BALA TOWN: A Lynch, R Valentine, A Stephens, S Jones, L Owens, C Murtagh, M Connolly, R Wade (R Edwards 67’), N Burke, C Venables, M Hayes. Subs not used: A Morris (gk), S J Jones, M Jones, I Sheridan,

CARMARTHEN: L Idzi, D Sheehan, D Vincent, L Surman, J Knott, C Morgan, L Harling, K Lewis, K Bassett, L Thomas (M Thomas 81’), M Jones. Subs not used: D Thomas, N Smothers.

Attendance: 112. Referee: Rob Jenkins.