LEWIS Short scored a brilliant equaliser to earn Bala Town a crucial 1-1 draw in their JD Welsh Premier League second phase opener at second-placed Connah’s Quay on Thursday evening.

The former Nomads player, a January signing from Northern Premier League leaders Altrincham, fired a superb low strike beyond home keeper John Danby to keep the Lakesiders within two points of their high-flying hosts.

Connah’s Quay had make the breakthrough midway through the first half, when Michael Bakare fired home beyond keeper Ashley Morris for an interval lead, but the Lakesiders, however, deserved a share of the spoils in a tale of two halves.

Bala had come into the game after 19 days of inactivity, whereas the Nomads were in upbeat mood after reaching the Welsh Cup quarter-finals with a 3-1 win over Cymru Alliance club Porthmadog.Rob Pearson, having made his welcome return from New Zealand, was introduced into a strong Bala midfield, which included Nathan Burke and Chris Venables, with Mike Hayes and Ian Sheridan flanking marksman Les Davies up front.

Both sides initially struggled to find rhythm on a heavy pitch, with an 11th minute free-kick by Chris Venables being blocked by the Nomads’ defensive wall.

At the other end, Sean Smith, who was tireless for the Nomads at left back, sent a cross into the Bala area in the 15th minute, which just evaded forward Andy Owens.

The hosts, however, broke the deadlock when Bala failed to clear a cross from the left, and journeyman Bakare controlled in the penalty box, before slamming the ball into the top corner from 16 yards out.

The goal lifted Andy Morrison’s men and they finished the second half strongly, with an attacking line of Michael Wilde, Michael Bakare and Andy Owen proving a handful for Bala’s back line.

Declan Poole got the ball inside a packed Bala area, but couldn’t get his shot away as the Lakesiders defended resiliently.

Les Davies, one of four former Connah’s Quay players in action for Bala, sent a dangerously weighted cross into the penalty area on 31 minutes, but Kai Edwards was on hand to head the ball away.

The Nomads, however, then had their best chance to extend their lead, as on 32 minutes, Michael Wilde knocked a Sean Smith cross to Andy Owens, who couldn’t quite connect with it on the wet pitch.

Owens was again at the centre of the action on 37 minutes, as he raced into Bala’s box and was brought down by former Nomad John Disney, but penalty claims were rejected by referee Kevin Parry.

The Lakesiders then had a golden opportunity to equalise right at the end of the first half, when Ian Sheridan danced down the wing and put in a teasing ball towards an unmarked Mike Hayes - another former Nomad - but he blazed over from six yards, with only Danby to beat.

In the second half, goal-scorer Bakare sent in a number of crosses into the Lakesiders’ area, as well as a header towards goal from a Poole cross in the 57th minute, but goalkeeper Ashley Morris collected it.

Bala, however, raised their game, with Kieran Smith, having also returned from New Zealand, coming on for Sheridan to cause problems for Quay down the left.

Their perseverance paid off on the hour when Davies played a neat ball into Venables, who in turn found Short with the outside of his boot. The overlapping full-back struck powerfully first time into the far bottom corner of the net from 20 yards out on the left, for a stunning equaliser.

With the game very much in the balance, Hayes nearly broke through on goal, but a foul by George Horan halted him, earning the Nomads skipper a yellow card.

Another Bala free-kick saw Smith pull his shot across the face of goal, which only needed the slighest of touches, and a Les Davies cross floated inches wide of the far post, with Danby under threat.

At the other end, substitute Ryan Wignall, who had replaced Bakare, had a go at goal from 18 yards, but a free kick was given to Bala just outside their own area.

Solid defensive displays from both sides, however, meant honours ended even, and after two additional minutes of play, they were forced to settle for a point.

CONNAH’S QUAY: J Danby, M Pearson, K Edwards, G Horan, D Harrison, M Wilde, A Owens, D Poole, S Smith, J Owen, M Bakare (R Wignall 73 minutes). Unused subs: J Spittle, N Woolfe, J Heath, J Phillips, C Harwood.

BALA TOWN: A Morris, R Valentine, S Jones, J Disney, R Pearson, C Venables, N Burke, L Short, M Hayes, I Sheridan (K Smith 65), L Davies. Unused subs: C Vernon, E Horwood, J Evans, G Rule. Referee: K Parry. Att: 421..