BALA Town missed out on a place in the Nathaniel MG Cup final as JD Cymru Premier leaders Connah’s Quay maintained their domestic unbeaten record with a 2-0 semi-final win.

First half goals from Callum Morris and Michael Wilde put the Nomads on track for a place in the final, for the first time since they won the competition in 1996.

Bala had started well, with top scorer Chris Venables glancing a header wide of the far upright, before Henry Jones fired over the crossbar from around 25 yards.

It was Nomads, however, who made the breakthough when Jamie Insall chased after a high ball sent up by Mike Wilde, and was brought down by Sean Smith as he entered the penalty area. Referee Rob Jenkins pointed to the spot, and Callum Morris stepped up and convert for an early lead after 12 minutes.

Bala didn’t let their heads drop, and they delivered an excellent performance as they looked to open up the defence. Lassana Mendes saw a header cleared off the line by George Horan, and Henry Jones curled a 30-yarder around the upright as the Lakesiders pushed forward.

Jamie Insall saw a low strike blocked by keeper Josh Tibbetts, but Bala responded with a Lassana Mendes header being headed off the line by George Horan, and Lewis Brass held a Steven Leslie effort.

Disaster struck for Bala on the brink of half-time, however, as Danny Holmes’ throw-in from the right found its way to Declan Poole, whose shot wasn’t held by Tibbetts, and Wilde scored from close in.

Bala had a mountain to climb in the second half, but they attacked with plenty of purpose, with Kieran Smith half volleying over the bar, and a superb set-piece between Lee Molyneux and Steven Leslie saw the goalbound shot palmed away.

Louis Robles rattled the crossbar after a break down the right wing, and Mendes’ close range header hit the side netting as the resilient Nomads defence held firm.

CONNAH’S QUAY NOMADS: L Brass, C Roberts (N Woolfe 84’), G Horan, D Harrison, C Morris, M Wilde, J Insall (M Bakare 69’), D Poole, D Holmes, J Owen, S Singh-Dool (J Disney 69’). Subs not used: E Merner (gk), C Harwood, R Wignall, S Williams.

BALA TOWN: J Tibbetts, A Burns, S Smith (L Molyneux 23’), A Stephens, J Spittle, H Jones, K Smith (S Jones 90’+1), S Leslie (M Hayes 70’), L Robles, L Mendes, C Venables. Subs not used: A Morris (gk), T Stephens, S Sullivan. Attendance: 242. Referee: Robert Jenkins.