BALA Town went into Christmas in second place in the Welsh Premier after they hit back to register their eighth successive win, with a determined display against Airbus UK Broughton at the Airfield.

The Lakesiders, however, were forced to dig deep against the rock-bottom hosts, who led 2-1 at the half-time break, following a flurry of goals late in the first half.

James Murphy put the hosts in front on 41 minutes, but Lee Hunt stroked home a penalty to level matters, before Tony Gray slotted Airbus back in front a minute later.

Bala lifted their spirits in the second half when Anthony Stephens headed home the equaliser from a corner, and Stuart Jones headed them in from another flag kick, before Chris Venables also netted.

Tony Gray had an early deflected shot saved by Ashley Morris, but former Airbus striker Ian Sheridan found himself one-on-one with home keeper Ryan Neild, who recovered well to deny him.

Bala apply the pressure

Anthony Stephens saw his free kick from 35 yards dip narrowly over the crossbar, but at the other end Gray provided a cross for Liam O’Neill, whose shot was saved, before a great run down the right by Jake Hulley ended up with Ryan Wignall having a shot easily dealt with by Morris.

Bala, however, were on top in terms of possession and a scramble in the home penalty box saw a shot crawl wide from six yards out, before a move involving Sheridan and Mike Hayes earned a corner, which saw Hunt head the ball wide.

Airbus, however, were always dangerous on the counter-attack and four minutes before the break a teasing cross from Wignall eluded keeper Morris, for James Murphy to bundle home from close range.

As the fourth official indicated two additional minutes, Sheridan was sent tumbling in the box by Hulley and referee Huw Jones pointed to the spot, with Hunt stepping up to blast home the spot kick.

The Lakesiders suffered a sucker-punch just 20 seconds after the restart, however, as Airbus broke down the right, Wignall put a ball into the box, and Gray slotted in at the back-post to restore the hosts’ lead.

Bala came out with more grit and determination in the second period, and after another effort was hacked away off the line, former Wingmaker Hayes scuffed a golden opportunity wide of the upright.

Stuart J Jones also drove the ball wide for Bala from 12 yards out, after successive corners, although Airbus could have added their third goal when James Murphy fired inches wide from just inside the 18 yard box, following Gray’s neat cross.

Gray then back-headed a cross over the bar and O’Neill fired straight at Morris from a Murphy cross, but Bala made them pay on 62 minutes after great work from John Irving had earned them a corner.

From the flag kick Anthony Stephens connected perfectly to power home with a free header to bring them back level.

The Lakesiders continued to move up the gears, and a spectacular overhead kick by Venables was cleared away, before successive corners saw them take the lead as a superb pin-point ball from Ryan Valentine was headed into the roof of the net by defender Stuart J Jones on 72 minutes.

Last season’s Golden Boot Venables also saw a half volley rattle the bar, but a few minutes later he got his deserved goal.

Stephens’ ball in was headed clear and fell into the path of Venables on the byline, which he controlled and directed over the line with 12 minutes left to play.

AIRBUS UK: R Neild, J Hulley, J Spittle, B Jackson, T Gray, T Mathews, A Williams (Z Edwards 78), J Menagh (R Fraughan 85), L O’Neill (R Edwards 78), R Wignall, J Murphy. Subs not used: D Doherty, R Jones, R Jones.

BALA TOWN: A Morris, A Stephens, S Jones (R Valentine 64), S J Jones, J Irving, D Thompson, C Venables (C Murtagh 85), N Burke, M Hayes, I Sheridan (M Connolly 51), L Hun. Subs not used: M Jones, K Smith. Att: 249.