A LAST-GASP leveller by Lee Hunt ensured that Bala Town took a share of the spoils from a hard-fought battle against Newtown in atrocious playing conditions at Maes Tegid last Friday evening.

The striker toe-poked home a 94th minute equaliser, after Matty Owen had given Newtown a 65th minute lead - but the dismissal of debutant defender Rob Williams heaped pressure on the visitors.

Despite heavy conditions, there was a lively start to the game, with Sean Evans firing over for the Robins, whilst Bala’s Mike Hayes also saw his effort blocked.

Bala’s Rob Pearson curled a shot over the bar from Ryan Valentine’s short free-kick, and Hayes struck narrowly wide of the upright, following Lee Hunt’s cross.

Down the other end, Jason Oswell headed wide, but Bala’s David Thompson then delivered a pin-point ball into the box which Hunt volleyed inches over.

Newtown came closer still to breaking the deadlock when a cross from Steff Edwards was met by Keiran Mills-Evans, who rattled the post with his header - but Bala scrambled the ball away, with Newtown claiming it had crossed the line.

Persistent rain and the sodden surface was becoming a problem for both sides, but Hunt almost took the lead, only for keeper Dave Jones to save with his legs.

Before the break a free kick pile-driver by Anthony Stephens was palmed away, but with the pitch turning into a mudbath, a long second half was in prospect.

Bala enjoyed a good of pressure after the restart, with Jones again denying Hunt’s first time effort with a solid one handed save, whilst Stuart Jones headed over from a corner, and Valentine saw his free kick from 25 yards out parried away.

Down the other end it took a superb last ditch tackle from Stephens to deny Luke Boundford, but Newtown managed to get their noses in front on 65 minutes.

Matty Owen picked up the ball on the right flank his cross-come-shot found its way into the far top corner Bala’s net.

The Robins nearly added a second a few minutes later when Oswell fired over from close range, and he then beat Jones on the turn to go one on one with Ashley Morris, but put his shot wide of the post.

The Lakesiders responded with Stephens curling a free kick over, and Newtown were then reduced to 10 men.

Hunt drove at goal and was taken down by Rob Williams, who was shown a second yellow card on his Robins debut.

Mark Jones lined up for the free kick, but once again shot stopper Jones was in fine form and parried it around the post.

As Bala upped their pressure, substitute Mark Connolly forced Jones to get down low to save, before he also drove a freekick low, which was saved comfortably.

Three minutes of injury time was shown and Bala were camped in the Robins’ half as they pushed on for an equaliser.

A clearance fell to the unmarked Oswell, who broke quickly from his half, but Stephens tracked back to get a foot in.

Then, in the final seconds, a chip from Bala’s defence landed to Hunt, and he toe-poked the ball into the back of the net to level with the final kick of the game.

BALA TOWN: A Morris, R Valentine (J Irving 71), A Stephens, S Jones, C Murtagh, M Jones, R Pearson (N Burke 70), D Thompson, M Hayes, I Sheridan (M Connolly 81), L Hunt. Unused subs: C Vernon (g), W Bell.

NEWTOWN: D Jones, C Williams, K Mills-Evans, R Williams, S Edwards, M Cook, M Owen, L Boundford (JTolley 67), S Evans (J Wells 81), J Oswell, N Mitchell. Unused subs: J Price, S Ryan, J Perry (g). Attendance: 167.