ABERYSTWYTH Town were left hanging on to a top six position in the JD Welsh Premier League as they failed to find the net for a third successive match, in a 2-0 Boxing Day derby defeat against Newtown at Park Avenue.

A Steve Leslie penalty earned the Robins and interval lead, and Nick Rushton sealed their victory on a difficult day for the Seasiders.

The win put Newtown five points clear of Aber in fifth position, ahead of their reverse match at Latham Park, with just three matches still to go until the league is split.

Aber made two changes to the starting side that had lost to Cefn Druids at Park Avenue on Friday evening, with Lee Jenkins and Declan Walker replacing Alan Goodall and Rio Ahmadi.

It was visitors Newtown who started the brightest however, and they could have taken the lead within the opening two minutes as Terry McCormick rushed out of his goal to smother Nick Rushton’s early shot.

Aber’s first opening of the game came on 26 minutes when Mathew Jones tested Newtown keeper Dave Jones with a curling free kick, before Ryan Wollacott fired the rebound over the crossbar.

Newtown responded when Nick Rushton went for goal by picking up a long throw in from Alex Fletcher, but Terry McCormick saved well.

It was the Robins who made the breakthrough on 37 minutes when left back Callum Roberts was brought down inside the area and Steve Leslie converted the penalty.

Before the break, Neil Mitchell had a strike at goal, but McCormick again produced a pivotal save to give Aber hope in the second half.

The second half was a similar story, despite Rio Ahmadi’s introduction at half time in place of Steff Edwards.

On 56 minutes, Ash Ruane did well to get to the byeline and cut a cross back for Ryan Edwards, who was unable to keep his effort on target.

Then, on 62 minutes the visitors doubled their lead as Leslie played in Nick Rushton, who produced a clinical finish beyond McCormick.

Geoff Kellaway replaced Joe Phillips on 65 minutes, and soon after created Aber’s best chance of the game as he cut inside and unleashed a right footed effort that bounced back out of the post, but try as they might Aber were unable to break down Newtown’s resolute defence.

Ruane headed the ball just a whisker past the post after collecting a superb cross from Jones, but the visitors were able to see the game out in comfortable fashion and seal a crucial three points.

ABERYSTWYTH: T McCormick, W Baynes, S Edwards (P Ahmadi 46’), R Wollacott, P Mendes, D Walker, R Edwards, L Jenkins, M Jones, A Ruane, J Phillips (G Kellaway 65’). Subs: A Goodall, J Rimmer, N Blake, H Rowe.

NEWTOWN: D Jones, J Kenton, C Roberts, J Denny, K Mills-Evans, A Fletcher, S Phillips (C Williams 73’), N Mitchell, S Leslie, L Boundford, N Rushton. Subs not used: G Cadwallader, W Evans, J Perry (gk). Att: 326. Referee: B Markham-Jones.

ABERYSTWYTH TOWN 0 CEFN DRUIDS 2

ABERYSTWYTH Town were unable to provide early festive cheer as they fell to a disappointing home defeat at the hands of Cefn Druids on a miserable night for the home supporters at Park Avenue.

An early James Davies strike, followed by a second half stunner by Jordan Evans was enough to hand Huw Griffiths’ side a deserved victory on a tough night for the Seasiders in the appalling conditions.Aber made two changes to the side defeated at Caernarfon the previous week, as Ryan Wollacott came back into central defence after suspension, and Joe Phillips replaced the suspended Declan Walker.

The visitors made the perfect start as Dean Rittenberg snuck in behind the home defence before sliding an inch perfect cross towards James Davies, who slotted the ball beyond Terry Mccormick.

The shell-shocked Seasiders responded well as Joe Phillips cut inside and forced a fine save from keeper Michael Jones.

As the wind howled and the rain poured, both sides struggled to create opportunities in a real midfield battle.

Ash Ruane attempted an audacious bicycle kick that sailed wide, before the Druids carved open an excellent opportunity on 38 minutes as Davies raced through on goal once more, only to be denied by a brilliant save from McCormick.

As the first half drew to a close, Druids pressed for a second, as Neil Ashton challenged McCormick from a set piece and Davies saw his goal bound effort cleared off the line by Alan Goodall, and the hosts would enter the break somewhat fortunate to be just one goal behind.

The second half started in similar fashion to the first, with the Seasiders unable to get into their usual rhythm and flow.

On 56 minutes, Druids punished more slack Aber defending as Jordan Evans turned and unleashed a powerful half volley from outside the area which flew into the top corner to double the lead.

Aber then introduced Geoff Kellaway and Lee Jenkins in place of Paulo Mendes and Alan Goodall as they searched for a way back into the game, but credit to the Druids as they continued to frustrate the home side with some superb defending.

Mathew Jones went close as his half volley sailed inches over the bar, before Ash Ruane fired a low effort inches wide of the post from a Wes Baynes set piece.

As the second half wore on, it became evident that it wasn’t to be Aber’s night, and James Davies tested home keeper McCormick once more in the dying minutes of the game, as the determined Druids comfortably saw out their victory.

ABERYSTWYTH: T McCormick, W Baynes, S Edwards, A Goodall (L Jenkins 60’), R Wollacott, P Mendes (G Kellaway 60’), P Ahmadi, R Edwards, M Jones, A Ruane, J Phillips (J Rimmer 69’). Subs not used: N Blake, H Rowe.

CEFN DRUIDS: M Jones, N Arsan, N Peate, M Owen, A Mudimu, D Rittenberg, J Evans, J Davies, R Kershaw, I Cartwright, N Ashton. Subs not used: A Simpson, F Hajdari, J Taylor, I Ap Gareth, A Morris. Atte: 122. Ref: K Parry.