BALA Town’s hopes of achieving runners-up position in the Dafabet Welsh Premier League for the third year running were dented as Gap Connah’s Quay leapfrogged above them with a 2-0 home win.

A George Horan goal sent Nomads ahead in the first half, before an own goal nine minutes from full time confirmed the Nomads’ win and a place in the UEFA Europa League for the 2017/18 campaign.

Bala went into the game needing a win to secure second place, but with fourth-placed Bangor City in hot pursuit, the Nomads also needed to avoid a defeat.

After a tense start to the game, Bala became more active, with Anthony Stephens attempting to catch home keeper John Danby off his line with a 45 yard effort, which went wide on 15 minutes.

The Nomads, however, broke the deadlock on 24 minutes when Lewis Short took a deep throw in the Bala half, which reached the centre of the area and George Horan headed home the opening goal.

Bala keeper Ashley Morris did manage to catch the ball, but it was already adjudged to have crossed the line, and this was confirmed by the assistant referee.

The homesters sought to assert their authority with Declan Poole making a series of good runs down the wing, and the Nomads came close to a second goal when Matty Owen saw his corner headed off the line by defender Stuart Jones.

Bala, however, remained dangerous and Jordan Evans’ effort lacked power and was gathered by Danby, before a neat ball from Stephens found Keiran Smith at back post, but he headed just wide.

Chris Venables’ low strike was also deflected out for a corner on the half-time whistle, and the Lakesiders continued to attack with purpose in the second half.

Jordan Evans danced past John Disney to release Sheridan, but his curling effort was saved, whilst Ryan Wignall fired into the side netting and Owen blazed over.

The Lakesiders almost equalised from a superb Evans free kick, following a foul on Mike Hayes, but his strike was just inches the wrong side of the left upright.

Stephens then pulled the ball back into the penalty box, but the ball was cleared into Sheridan’s path, but he struck over.

At the other end, Callum Morris was denied by goalkeeper Ashley Morris from around eight yards out on 54 minutes, but a Kieran Smith free kick from 30 yards went just wide into the side-netting.

The Nomads, however, all but sealed victory nine minutes from the end of normal time, when a rocketing long throw from Lewis Short was headed into the Bala goal by defender Stuart Jones.

With a 2-0 goal lead and just minutes to play out, The Nomads topped off a brilliant performance by seeing the game out.

After three minutes of additional time, referee Lee Evans blew the full time whistle to confirm The Nomads’ victory and place in the UEFA Europa League, leapfrogging the Lakesiders into second spot.

CONNAH’S QUAY: J Danby, K Edwards, G Horan, C Morris, D Poole, S Smith (W Baynes 46), R Wignall (S Payne 88’), J Owen, M Owen, L Short, J Disney. Subs not used: T Field, M Williams, J Manley (gk), C Harwood.

BALA TOWN: A Morris, A Stephens, S Jones, S J Jones, J Irving, C Venables (W Bell 85), D Thompson, J Evans, N Burke (R Wade 70), M Hayes, K Smith (I Sheridan 46). Subs not used: R Goldston (gk), R Valentine, L Hunt. Attendance: 286. Referee: Lee Evans.