TEN MEN Bala Town left it late to come from behind to beat hosts Prestatyn Town 2-1 at the Motion Finance Stadium to set-up a semi-final showdown against Connah’s Quay in the Nathaniel MG Cup.

Lassana Mendes scored the winning goal two minutes from time, to seal a thrilling comeback for the Lakesiders, after Louis Robles had cancelled out James Stead’s early goal for the home side.

The JD Cymru North leaders were always going to prove a tough test, and it could not have started any worse for Bala as they were trailing after just a minute.

Rob Hughes picked the ball up on the halfway line, drove forwards and found Jack Kenny, whose shot was blocked into Stead’s path, to fire a low strike home.

Anthony Stephens saw his strike saved by home keeper Jon Rushton, Bala were dealt another early blow on 12 minutes.Nathan Burke was sent off following a clumsy challenge, and the Lakesiders had almost 80 minutes to go with 10 men.

Prestatyn continued to look dangerous in attack, passing the ball around well through Jack Kenny, Stead, Ben Maher and Rob Hughes, and a half volley by the home side narrowly missed the target.

Bala, however, had an excellent opportunity to get back on level terms before the break as Venables released Louis Robles, put he fired wide of the far post.

Ten-man Bala showed great character as they stepped up in the second half, and an early threat involving Venables and Robles was cleared away to safety.Bala began building momentum and Mendes, sub Steven Leslie and Venables all saw chances cleared away, before Sean Smith crossed the ball deep into the are for Robles, who placed his header over.

Another effort was ruled out for offside, but the pressure was mounting and finally their efforts paid off on 71 minutes. A corner by Leslie picked out Robles, who outjumped his marker to bullet the ball into the back of the net to make it 1-1.

It was now really game on, and Bala were now looking for the winning goal.

Andrew Burns was denied as Rushton pushed the ball around the post, and Leslie’s low 30 yard strike fizzed out of play - but down the other end, Kai Edwards’ header was collected by Josh Tibbetts

A series of corners saw an almighty goalmouth scramble in the box, which somehow the home defence managed to clear with four minutes remaining.

It was Bala, however, who snatched a last-gasp victory in the 89th minute.

Leslie delivered a pin-point pass into the area, it arrived at Mendes, and he buried the ball into the back of the net at near post to spark wild celebrations.

With four minutes of additional time shown, the Lakesiders still had to keep their focus, and the returning Jonny Spittle made an incredible block in the final minute to deny Kenny an equaliser.

The Lakesiders have been paired with Connah’s Quay in the last four of the competition, with the tie to be played in Deeside on the weekend of 22 November.

PRESTATYN TOWN: J Rushton, Z Edwards, A Jones, K Edwards, M Parker, B Maher, J Kenny, R Hughes, J Davies, J Stead (J Higgins 84’), D Davies., Subs not used: R Woods (gk), M Murray, L Hughes, J Hay, J Jones, Griffiths.BALA TOWN: J Tibbetts, A Burns, S Smith, A Stephens, J Spittle, N Burke, H Jones (S Leslie 47’), K Smith, L Robles, L Mendes, C Venables.Subs not used: S Jones, L Molyneux, E Horwood, T Stephens.Referee: H Jones. Attendance: 252.