Llanidloes Town boss Hugh Clarke had to settle for a share of the spoils as his side dropped their first points in the MMP Mid Wales League division one with a battling 1-1 draw away at Builth Wells.

After opening their campaign with comfortable wins away at Montgomery and home to Aberaeron, the Daffs were forced to settle for a share of the spoils against the spirited Spa side.

Last season's league runners-up had taken an interval lead when newcomer Daf Carruthers continued his fine start to the season with an excellent first half strike - his third goal in as many games.But unbeaten Builth proved to be stubborn opponents, and they earned parity after the half-time break when Tom Bethell scored following an indirect free kick, after keeper Kris Williams was penalised for picking up the ball twice.

The draw leaves the two sides with seven points from their first three games, two points adrift of early leaders Llandrindod Wells, won have won all three of their outings so far this season.

Daffs manager Hugh Clarke admitted there was little between the sides at Builth as his charges returned with a share of the spoils in an encounter of limited chances.

"We did okay, it was a battling performance, and overall a draw was a fair result as there wasn’t much in it," said the Llani boss.

"Builth are going to take points off a lot of sides at home this season, but I was disappointed with the goal we conceded as they didn’t have many opportunities.

"But we’ve got to be happy enough with the start we’ve made, scoring 10 goals from our first three games and conceding just the one. We now move on. League titles are not won in August, there’s a long winter ahead."

Llani now embark on a big week with a trip to Berriew on Wednesday evening, before hosting Llansantffraid Village on Saturday.

Both their opponents have suffered testing starts to the season, with Berriew having picked up three points from their opening three games, while Ffraid are still looking to open their account.

The Daffs have injury concerns over Connor Bird (knee), Adam Worton and Ryan Biggs (both groin), Josh Hartrick (hamstring) and Niall Coleridge (foot).

Builth - who had also won their opening two games - were always going to prove a tough obstacle on their home surrounds, and so it proved.

Carruthers gave the Daffs an interval lead in superb fashion when he hooked Adam Worton’s free kick over his shoulder before volleying into the net.

Gareth Owen brought a smart save from the home keeper, while the visitors also had strong penalty claims turned down following a challenge on Ash Owen,

But Builth got themselves back on terms on the hour when keeper Williams conceded an indirect free kick a yard out after inadvertently picking up the ball twice following a back pass.

Although the visitors packed the goal line, the ball was played back to Bethell, who smashed into the roof of the net.

Meanwhile, the Daffs proved too hot to handle as they routed Aberaeron 5-0 in their first outing at Victoria Avenue earlier in the week.

As in their opening night victory against Montgomery, Llani had the points wrapped up at half time after racing into a four goal lead.

They never looked back after getting in front on nine minutes, courtesy of a powerful header from Carruthers.

Connor Bird added a solo effort when weaving his way through the defence before producing a cool finish.

Bird got his second of the night on the half hour with a close range effort at the back post, and Josh Hartrick and Niall Coleridge then linked up for Coleridge to cross for Ash Owen to convert four minutes later.

Drew Reynolds headed in an Ed Clarke corner four minutes after the interval to make it 4-0, and that was how the scoring stayed.

Llanidloes Town (v Builth Wells): K Williams, R Biggs, G Owen, A Worton, D Reynolds, D Allen G Clarke, A Owen, D Carruthers (M Jones 85), J Hartrick (C Bird 70), E Clarke. Sub not used: R Evans.