BALA Town are looking forward to another European adventure this summer after the Lakesiders secured runners-up spot behind The New Saints for the second year running, with a battling 1-0 win at Gap Connah’s Quay.

Striker Lee Hunt netted his 200th league goal from the penalty spot early the second half to clinch the points, as Bala finish five points clear of third-placed MBI Llandudno, after their 5-1 defeat to champions The New Saints.

Colin Caton, who has been reappointed as manager from the position of Director of Football, said it was another exciting chapter in the club’s history.

“It’s massive to be in Europe again,” he said. “But it’s not just enough being there, we want get to through to the second round this time and make the league and Welsh football proud of us.

“It’s a fantastic achievement for everyone involved in the club, and to finish second behind TNS for the second season running again shows we are the best part-time club in Welsh football.

“We will be better prepared than before, hopefully the draw will be kind to us and we’ll get a bit of luck along the way, which we have not always had.

“I couldn’t ask any more from the players, they have given me everything, despite being back in training since June, and it will be the same this year.

“When we heard at half time that Llandudno had equalised against TNS, it got a bit tense for a time. But the lads showed great spirit - which they have done all season - to get the job done.”

Striker Hunt became only the third player to score 200 Welsh Premier goals when he converted from the penalty spot in a tense encounter at the Deeside.

Joining Marc Lloyd Williams and Rhys Griffiths, the 34 year-old saved his special goal for the big occasion by smashing home his penalty four minutes into the second half, after being brought down inside the right of box.

It had been a scrappy, tight affair, with the Lakesiders enjoying long spells of possession against their youthful hosts, who included a couple of debutants.

Bala showed their commitment from the start and Hunt had a couple of early chances, while Mike Hayes had an effort ruled out by the offside flag and Mark Connolly saw his free kick saved by home goalkeeper Jon Rushton.

After going behind, the Nomads stepped things up in last half an hour with substitute Nathan Woolfe going close to a reply at the other end when his curling his shot went just wide.

The hosts almost grabbed an equaliser when a frantic melee saw Ashley Ruane denied by a goal-line clearance, and Ruane also had an angled shot from the right saved by keeper Ashley Morris.

Bala, however, held firm for their 14th clean sheet in league this season, and there were also chances at the other end as the hosts did well to deny efforts by Hayes, Anthony Stephens and Stuart Jones as Bala ended on a high.

CONNAH’S QUAY: J Rushton, J Disney, D Harrison, A Ruane, N Rushton (N Woolfe 46), K McIntyre, S Smith, W Baynes, C Churchman (S Miller 78), B Nash, T Bibby (J Crowther 84). Substitutes not used: J Riley, K Gaul, J Chambers, J Jones.

BALA TOWN: A Morris, R Valentine, A Stephens, S Jones, J Irving, M Connolly, N Burke (D Thompson 86), M Hayes (M Jones 78), I Sheridan, K Smith, L Hunt (C Platt 89). Subs not used: C Vernon (gk), W Bell.

Attendance: 169. Referee: B Markham Jones.