NATHAN PEATE came back to haunt former club Cefn Druids as his dramatic stoppage time winner earned lively Bala Town a last-gasp 2-1 home victory on Sunday.

The defender managed to bundle the ball home in the 91st minute at Maes Tegid, to make it a losing start for the Druids, who he had left in the summer.

The last-gap winner came just a minute after Anthony Kay had been shown red for the Lakesiders, who had opened the scoring on 29 minutes through Will Evans.

After suffering late heartbreak at champions Connah’s Quay the previous week, it was a welcome boost for the hosts as they kick-started their Cymru Premier League campaign.

Just three days after the Lakesiders had bowed out of the Uefa Europa League second qualifying round to Standard Liege in Belgium, Colin Caton’s side again showed their determination.

The Lakesiders started the game positively, with Raul Correia posing an early threat, whilst ex-Druids player Nathan Peate came close to opening their account when he climbed highest to meet a corner, but his header was powered over the crossbar.

Will Evans made the breakthrough on 29 minutes, meeting Andrew Burns’ cross into the box and side-footing into the far left corner for his first competitive goal for the club.

Bala almost doubled their lead when Peate climbed highest again from a corner kick to head across the goal, and Venables flicked on for Correia, but he headed over.

At the other end, Ramsay kept out a long range effort, but Bala pushed on again and when Venables was put through on goal following a long ball from Ramsay, his effort failed to hit the target.

Another good move involving Venables and Lassana Mendes was repelled, and Will Evans attacked straight through the middle, with his resulting shot being well saved by the Druids keeper.

Correia then turned the defender in the box, but keeper Michael Jones got down well to keep out his strike, and deny him his first Bala goal.

The Lakesiders’ chances continued to flow, and Venables saw another effort on goal blocked by a defender, and Peate came close again with a header, only for the ball to be cleared off the line.

Before the end of the first half, Mendes and Peate both had opportunities in the final third, but somehow the Druids were still in the game.

Bala started the second half brightly as they won an early corner, but this time Jonathan Spittle’s header at the back post went just wide of goal.

Keeper Ramsay saved well at the other end, but then Will Evans came close to doubling Bala’s lead, but his header was gathered comfortably.

Druids came more into the game, and with 25 minutes left they stunned their hosts as Naim Arsan hit a pile-driver from the edge of the box under the arms of keeper Ramsay to level the scores.

In injury time, however, a free kick for Bala on the half way line was lofted towards the back post, and Peate bundled home the dramatic winner against his former side.

There was still time for Druids’ Aaron Simpson to also be given his marching orders after being shown a second yellow card for a challenge on Peate, and the hosts held firm to snatch the three points.

BALA TOWN: A Ramsay, A Burns, S Smith, N Peate, J Spittle, W Evans, R Correia (H Jones 64 minutes), K Smith (Ll Morris 80 minutes), A Kay, L Mendes (S Leslie 59 minutes), C Venables. Subs not used: H Lloyd (gk), A Stephens, S Sullivan.

CEFN DRUIDS: M Jones, N Arsan, J Reed, H Brazel, N Flint, I Cartwright, B Barratt, T Reilly (A Simpson 53’), C Ruberto (S Edwards 64’), J Faux (A Darlington 77’), J Wise. Subs, not used: D Szczepaniak (gk), K Smith, H Fuller.