BALA Town got their JD Welsh Premier League campaign back on track as they moved up to fourth place with a 3-0 victory over Cardiff Met University, who are still looking for their first points in five visits to Maes Tegid.

An early Sean Smith goal was followed by second half strikes by Evan Horwood and Steve Tames to leave Colin Caton’s men in good heart for Friday night’s trip to face Llandudno.

The Lakesiders have moved within three points of champions The New Saints, but are five points off pacesetters Connah’s Quay and Barry Town.

“It’s difficult for us to challenge for the league title, but we need to keep improving and push the sides above us,” admitted Bala boss Caton. “We’ve got a big few weeks coming up for us.

“We started well against Cardiff Met, but once we had scored our first goal we went into cruise control, like we’ve done a few times this season,.

“But we had a good chat at half time, and dominated the second half, so overall I felt that this was a really good performance against a good, fit side.”

Henry Jones had an early chance after six minutes, when he turned Chris Baker to shoot from just inside the box, but keeper Alex Lang saved well.

It was a great run from Jones that set up the opening goal for left wing-back Sean Smith, who skipped past a couple of defenders to finish between the legs of Lang for 1-0 after 10 minutes.

Bala, however, allowed the visitors to claw their way into the game, and a very ambitious volley by Sam Snaith smashed off Ashley Morris’ crossbar.

Joel Edwards and Kyle McCarthy began to take control of the game for the Students, but the Lakesiders held firm to maintain their lead at the break.

Jones had two good chances at the start of the second half to put Bala further ahead, but at the other end Snaith played a nice one-two with Adam Roscrow and his shot beat Ashley Morris, but Sean Smith threw himself on the line to deny Met an equaliser.

Chris Venables was unable to capitalise on an excellent Bala move involving Evan Horwood, Jones and Steve Tames, and McCarthy cleared off the Met line soon afterwards, but on 70 minutes Bala doubled their lead.

After good work from Jones and Tames the ball arrived to an unmarked Horwood, whose rocked from the outside of his left foot went into the bottom right hand corner from 10 yards.

Tames saw a close range opportunity cleared, but on 76 minutes Tames was picked out well by Danny Gosset to release a strong low strike into the bottom corner from 20 yards, to take his total to eight goals for the season.

BALA TOWN: A Morris, A Burns, S Smith, S Jones, S J Jones, D Gosset, S Tames (K Smith 84 minutes), E Horwood, N Burke, H Jones (M Hayes 84’), C Venables (I Sheridan 74’). Subs not used: A Miley, V Charles (gk), J Jones, J Edwards.

CARDIFF MET: A Lang, E Lewis (G Williams 77’), L Black (H Owen 61’), B Woolridge, K McCarthy, J Edwards, E Evans, C Baker, A Roscrow, S Snaith, W Evans. Subs not used: R Thomas, M Neale, B Flay, R Morgan, M Manson (gk). Attendance: 204. Referee: R Jenkins.