High-flying Llanidloes Town tightened their grip at the top of the MMP Mid Wales League division one after opening up an eight-point lead with a 3-2 victory at Welshpool on Friday.

With title rivals Caersws and Berriew both in Central Wales Challenge Cup action, the Daffs capitalised by overcoming a spirited Pool side at a rainswept Maesydre.

“There’s a lot of belief and confidence running through the side right now, and we go into every game thinking we’re going to win, which is worth a goal start,” said Llanidloes boss Hugh Clarke.

“Even when we had a player sent off against Welshpool, you would not have known which side had 10 men. It was a great team performance and we always look as though we’re going to score.

“We’ve been on a decent run since Christmas, even with a few players missing, and we’ve got momentum.”

Llani went ahead when Dewi Allen prodded home after a goalmouth scramble, and they doubled the lead with a superbly worked goal when Josh Hartrick broke forward before playing in Ed Clarke, who crossed from the left for Connor Bird to score.

They had chances to have been further in front, but Pool were back in the hunt just before half time with a penalty from Jack Harris, after a handball incident on the line following a home corner.

Although Ed Clarke handled, and the player himself admitted so to the referee, left back Ryan Biggs was mistakenly sent off on his first game back following a suspension.

Although down to 10 men, the Daffs looked solid in the second half, with Hartrick taking over the left back role, but the prolific Will Thomas found his way through on goal to put the hosts level.

Llani were not to be denied, though, and, as they have done in a number of games this season, they showed their resolve to get their noses back in front again in the last 10 minutes of the game.

A long kick upfield from keeper Kris Williams was seized on by George Clarke who ran towards goal before being brought down by goalkeeper Dave Littleford.

The custodian was shown a red card, before Bird notched his second goal of the game from the penalty spot to secure a crucial away win.

Llanfair United meanwhile moved up to third after their 5-0 victory against lowly-placed Churchstoke, with Karl Seliaerts, with a brace, Josh Astley, Tom Gregory and Ash Davies on the mark.

Llani - whose boss Hugh Clarke was division one manager of the month for January - now embark on a big week, starting with a home tie against Llanfair United in a rearranged Central Wales Challenge Cup third round game on Wednesday night.

Then on the Saturday, they head to neighbours Caersws in the quarter-final of the MMP League Cup, before then returning to league duties at Llansantffraid Village on Saturday, 23 February.

Click on link below for the Central Wales Cup round-up