Bala Town welcomed Fleetwood Town’s Under-23s squad to Maes Tegid on Friday evening and even though it was a 3-2 loss for the Lakesiders, things are looking good ahead of the new season.

Bala started the game very brightly and took control of proceedings in the opening stages. Seeing plenty of the ball, they fashioned a few early chances but it was Fleetwood who took the lead against the run of play. A break down the right was crossed into the box and slotted home by Michael Fowler after 24 minutes.

Bala featured several trialist players, and one of them headed in a Lee Molyneux cross to equalise on the half hour.

Bala were on the up and looking to add to their tally, Molyneux flashing an effort the wrong side of the upright, before Mike Hayes turned on a sixpence but saw his effort saved and then a lobbed attempt over the keeper drifted wide.

At the other end, Sam O’Halloran went close before the visitors regained the lead five minutes before the interval, Harvey Saunders firing into the net following a defensive mistake.

Bala started the second half quite well with decent opportunities to get back on level terms, the most eye-catching Nathan Burke 30-yard low drive which fizzed wide of the post.

And as the pressure mounted they were back on level terms on 65 minutes. A deep cross was met by Kieran Smith who leapt up to head the ball into the net.

Anthony Stephens’ powerful strike was then saved solidly by Fleetwood keeper James Cottam but the visitors had the final say with a goal five minutes from time, Carl Johnson poking the ball into the net after capitalising on a mistake at the back.

Despite the loss it was another useful workout for the Lakesiders before their final pre-season run-out against Evo-Stik League Southern Premier Division Central outfit Rushall Olympic at Maes Tegid on Saturday afternoon (3pm).