BALA Town were denied a deserved point as Conor Harwood’s 89th minute header sent Connah’s Quay Nomads back to the top of the JD Welsh Premier League in a close-fought battle at Deeside Stadium on Tuesday evening.

The substitute nodded in Rob Hughes’ cross from close range, beating visiting keeper Ashley Morris at the near post, to seal a dramatic 1-0 home win.

Early chances had seen a Nomads corner from Jake Phillips just evade rising captain George Horan, on his 400th Welsh Premier League appearance, and Callum Morris saw a 12 yard volley saved by visiting goalkeeper Ashley Morris.

Bala looked dangerous on the right, with Henry Jones and Kieran Smith linking up well, but a physical Nomads back line kept the visitors at bay.

The Lakesiders enjoyed their first major chance on the half-hour, when a Henry Jones free kick, 25 yards out on the left, looked to be heading for the top right corner, but keeper John Danby did well to tip the effort out.

Bala’s Anthony Stephens then sent a free kick just wide of the right hand post, and Shaun Kelly also prodded the ball just wide after a deep free kick.

Then, just before the interval, Kieran Smith shook off his marker and delivered a stunning cross to Chris Venables, but he fired just inches wide.

During the break, Nomads manager Andy Morrison rung the changes with a double substitution, replacing Andy Owens and Jake Phillips with Rob Hughes and Jay Owen, but it was Bala who went closest after the interval.

Sean Smith’s spectacular 25 yard strike rattled the crossbar and then the follow up was tipped over by Danby.

At the other end Andy Burns made a crucial block to deny Michael Bakare, and substitute Rob Hughes sent a long range free kick just above the bar.

Two minutes later, another free kick the ball fell to George Horan just six yards from goal, only for a defender to clear the ball before he could connect.

Nomads again went close when Bakare teed the ball up in the area before firing over from just eight yards out, but Bala looked to be holding on and they threatened on the counter-attack.With 20 minutes left Morrison replaced Bakare with Conor Harwood, and it was the substitute who finally broke the stalemate on 89 minutes.

A free kick from Adam Barton was flicked on by Jay Owen, allowing Rob Hughes to send a cross into the area, and Harwood headed home into the left side of the Bala net from six yards.

There was no way back for the Bala, who had put in a superb shift, and the sixth-placed Lakesiders will be looking to bounce back at Caernarfon on Friday, 8 March.

Connah’s Quay, who are two points clear of title rivals The New Saints, having played one game more, return to action at home against the Saints on 9 March.

CONNAH’S QUAY: J Danby, J Disney, G Horan, D Harrison, C Morris, M Wilde, A Owens (R Hughes 46’), A Barton, D Holmes, J Phillips (J Owen 46’), M Bakare (C Harwood 75’). Subs not used: P Farquharson, J Rushton (gk), D Elsey-McHugh.

BALA TOWN: A Morris, A Burns, S Smith, S Kelly, A Miley, N Burke, A Stephens, C Venables, K Smith, S Tames, H Jones (E Horwood 84’). Subs not used: I Sheridan, S J Jones, M Hayes, K Jones (gk), J Edwards, J Jones. Attendance: 269. Referee: H Jones.