BALA Town bounced back from their defeat to The New Saints with a hard-earned 2-1 win over Cardiff Met, with this tight game at Maes Tegid finally being settled late on.

Nathan Burke had opened the scoring for Colin Caton’s men five minutes before the break with a low first time drive from just inside the box, but Met regrouped at the interval and levelled through Adam Roscrow scoring his third in two games.

It was Bala, however, who took all three points when Chris Venables netted in the 86th minute, when he slotted home the rebound after his penalty had been saved, to hand the Met a first defeat of the season.

It was the tale of two halves, with Bala having a brilliant first 45 minutes, before Met put the pressure on after the break.

The Lakesiders started well, and a superb ball from Stuart Jones from around the corner flag found Les Davies in the area, but a foul was awarded against him.

Mike Hayes also turned well on the 18 yard line and picked out Andrai Jones, but the keeper was able to save with ease.

Bala were in charge, and a delivery from Burke found Stuart J Jones at the back post, but his header soared over the bar.

Davies then burst forward and drove strongly at goal but Will Fuller saved well.

The keeper was called into action again with a brilliant double save to stop Davies and then Hayes from opening the scoring.

Down the other end, Will Evans fired high and wide of the goal from 25 yards out in one of Met’s rare chances of the half.

Bala however kept momentum and a goalmouth scramble saw Hayes, Davies and Jones all involved, but Met cleared their lines, before a stunning passage of play saw the Lakesiders put together 25 passes before play broke down in the box.

Finally, in the 36th minute, Bala got the goal they deserved. A brilliant first time strike from 15 yards by Burke was smashed into the bottom left hand corner, giving the hosts the lead at the interval.

The visitors almost got a level within a minute of the restart when Jordan Lam’s spectacular effort rattled the crossbar.

But at the other end a free header from Venables skimmed the post, before another delivery from Hayes went just inches wide of the incoming Venables in the box.

Met, however, then broke down the left and Lam put a ball in for Adam Roscrow to side foot the ball past Ashley Morris.

Met almost took the lead, but two incredible reaction saves from Morris kept them at bay, and it remained evenly poised.

Finally, four minutes from time, Hayes was brought down in the box, and Venables saw his penalty saved by Fuller, but his follow up was buried into the back of the net to seal the win for the Lakesiders.

BALA TOWN: A Morris, S Jones, SJ Jones, L Owens, E Horwood, C Venables, D Thompson, N Burke, M Hayes, A Jones, L Davies (I Sheridan 81 minutes). Subs not used: C Vernon (gk), R Valentine, W Bell, G Rule.

CARDIFF MET: W Fuller, D Rees, K McCarthy, B Woolridge, E Lewis, E Evans (C Corsby 66), C Baker, A Roscrow, W Evans, J Barnett (R Thomas 89), J Lam. Subs not used: H Owen, A James, R Morgan, D Evans (gk). Att: 174.