BALA Town continued winning ways as they moved above rivals Gap Connah’s Quay in the race for runners-up spot with a solid 3-1 triumph over Cardiff Met.

Whilst the Nomads slipped to a 2-1 defeat at Bangor City, the Lakesiders took charge at Maes Tegid, following a Chris Venables header after 16 minutes.

The students were level on the half hour when Kyle McCarthy despatched a penalty after a foul by keeper Ashley Morris.

Two goals inside five second half minutes settled the contest, however, with Stuart Jones heading Colin Caton’s men back into a crucial lead after 56 minutes.

Mike Hayes then headed in from an Anthony Stephens cross on the hour for his 14th league goal of the campaign, to take the lead in the Golden Boot standings.

Early home chances had seen David Thompson’s throw-in nodded forward by Venables into Keiran Smith’s path, and he headed wide from seven yards out.

Met’s Charlie Corsby fired wide from distance and Adam Roscrow’s spectacular lob landed on top of Morris’ net, but Venables’ free kick on the edge of the 18 was palmed away by keeper Will Fuller.

Bala made the breakthrough on 17 minutes when Ian Sheridan’s free kick was pushed away by Fuller, and Venables headed across the goal and into the net.

The Lakesiders almost doubled their lead when an almighty scramble was turned around the post, but on the half-hour McCarthy equalised from the spot after Morris had brought down Roscrow.

Morris kept out a Jordan Lam shot from distance, Roscrow’s drive smashed the base of the post and Chris Baker blasted over as Met pushed for a second goal.

At the other end Sheridan found Ryan Wade unmarked and he rattled the bar from a tight angle on the halftime whistle.

The chances continued after the break as Stuart Jones cleared Elliot Evans’ shot off the line, but Bala re-took the lead when Jones powered in a header to make it 2-1.

As the Lakesiders upped their tempo, Hayes tested Fuller, before a delivery from Stephens again picked out Hayes, who headed home from six yards - taking his tally up to 16 goals in all competitions.

The Lakesiders held onto their two-goal cushion, and in injury time Wade fired just wide as they completed a solid second half display - ahead of Saturday’s trip to Carmarthen, who beat TNS last week.

BALA: A Morris, A Stephens, S Jones, S J Jones, J Irving, R Wade, C Venables, D Thompson, M Hayes (M Connolly 90), I Sheridan (J Darlington 90+3), K Smith (M Jones 73). Subs not used: R Goldston, R Valentine, W Bell, N Burke.

CARDIFF MET: W Fuller, J Letori, K McCarthy, M Swindlehurst, E Lewis, B Bowler (J Barnett 86), C Baker, E Evans (W Evans 69), A Roscrow (D Spencer 71), C Corsby, J Lam. Subs not used: M Taylor, H Lloyd, H Daubney. Attendance: 205. Referee: Huw Jones.