BALA Town had an early exit from the Nathaniel MG League Cup on Tuesday as a Jamie Reed second half penalty proved just enough for Newtown to edge through to the second round 1-0 at Maes Tegid.

After being taken down in the penalty box, striker Reed picked himself up to convert the spot kick and book his side’s place in the next round of the competition.

The Lakesiders had started brightly enough and in the opening minutes Mike Sheridan picked the ball up and crossed in for Andrai Jones, but the striker glanced just wide of goal from six yards out.

Mike Hayes also went close for Bala when he headed wide of the upright, before Glenn Rule saw a shot palmed away.

The Robins looked fluent going forward, however, and Joe Kenton, starting for the first time season season, cut in from the right and tested keeper Ashley Morris.

Ryan Kershaw was looking sharp for Newtown, putting in a dangerous cross that was cleared away by defender Stuart Jones, with Reed waiting to pounce.

Down the other end, Bala went close when Chris Venables headed wide, and Oliver Horwood, who scored in the fixture three weeks ago, also volleyed over.

Ian Sheridan’s strike from close range blazed over for the Lakesiders, but down the other end Kershaw ghosted past Ryan Valentine before he pulled the ball back for Neil Mitchell, whose goal bound effort was deflected just wide of the target.

In the dying embers of the half the Robins were presented with another good chance, but Kieran Mills-Evans could only glance a Craig Williams cross wide.

The opening moments of the second period saw keeper Dave Jones scrambling to push away a Venables free kick, with Jones then lashing over the re-bound.

Then, minutes later, Hayes hung up a nice cross for Sheridan, who should have scored, but he headed just over the bar.

Iwan Cartwright, who had impressed on debut had a tame shot saved for Ne, and moments later the Robins took the lead.

Reed latched onto a through ball from Kershaw, before being upended in the box, and the striker picked himself up to send Morris the wrong way from the spot.

Kershaw called Morris into action with a superb dipping strike seconds later, before Bala camped in the Robins half as they went in search of an equaliser.

On the break substitute Nick Rushton fired over on the turn, before Jones saved from a close range to deny Venables.

Bala put some through balls into the box late on, but the Robins defence, marshalled superbly by young Ryan Sears and Mills-Evans held firm for the win.

Hayes had two late chances, one saved and one went over as time ran out, and the Robins progressed to the second round.

After a 10 day break from action, Bala will be looking to bounce back when they return to Welsh Premier League action at Connah’s Quay on Friday evening,.

BALA TOWN: A Morris, R Valentine (D Thompson 79 minutes), S Jones, L Owens, E Horwood, W Bell, C Venables, M Hayes, I Sheridan (J Evans 79), G Rule, A Jones. Subs not used: C Vernon, S J Jones, N Burke.

NEWTOWN: D Jones, C Williams, R Sears, K Mills-Evans, J Price, I Cartwright (J Denny 69), J Harries, J Kenton, R Kershaw, N Mitchell, (N Rushton 60), J Reed. Subs not used: W Evans, D Rose. Attendance: 204. Referee: I Griffith.