ABERYSTWYTH Town became the latest victims of the TNS juggernaut as the Champions-elect strolled to a 5-1 win at Newtown’s Latham Park, including a hat-trick from Greg Draper.

Chris Jones’ late penalty brought a little relief to Aberystwyth’s travelling supporters on another disappointing afternoon for Matthew Bishop's men.

Their seventh league defeat sees them second-from-bottom in the Welsh Premier League table, but at least away wins at Airbus, Llandudno and Carmarthen mean they are still just four points off sixth.

Having assembled a new-look squad during the summer, it has been a tough transitional period on the pitch, and manager Bishop has remained pragmatic.

“We’ve conceded five goals, which we are disappointed about, but TNS have done that to everyone this season,” reflected the Aberystwyth boss after the game.

“It’s our 10th away game, and it has been a tough run for us, but if you’d have said to us that we’d have got nine points from 10 away games, I would have been pleased.

“Our home form is going to be really important to us from now.”

New signing Dan Alfei went straight into the side, having joined from Swansea City, with keeper Dom Richards, Lewis Coyle and Luke Borrelli also coming in.

Early signs were encouraging as Aber concentrated hard on shape and tactics, denying the visitors any attempts on goal.

They even created the first chance when Chris Jones’ corner was smashed back across goal by Borrelli, and past the post.

At the other end Richards saved the first shot on target by Edwards, and also made a great save to deny Alex Darlington.

In the 22nd minute, however, the deadlock was broken by the full-time outfit.

Draper looked suspiciously offside as he tapped home from a right wing cross, and then two minutes later Simon Spender sent in a peach of a ball from the right side which Draper headed home easily for 2-0.

Although Borrelli burst through to force a save from keeper Paul Harrison, Draper, Edwards and Steve Saunders all went close at the other end, and the leaders were good value for a 2-0 half time lead.

An open second half saw chances at both ends and firstly Coyle sent in a low shot for Aber which tested Harrison.

Aber’s Man of the Match Richards then thwarted Darlington with a superb stop.

At the other end, Sam Rodon’s header was arrowing towards the top corner before Harrison intervened, and then the rampaging Coyle necessitated three visiting defenders to deny Aber a chance.

In the 62 minute, however, Jamie Mullan found space down the left and knocked the ball back for Edwards to fire home a stunning 30 yarder to kill off the game.

Edwards, Ryan Brobbel and Draper all went close, while Borrelli’s 35 yarder was a riposte which flew past the target.

TNS sub Phil Baker’s first touch was deflected onto the post, and then Richards saved from Edwards and Robbie Parry.

In the 82nd minute, however, Steve Saunders somehow managed to get his head to a corner at the back post for 4-0.

Aber replied when Spender fouled Jones in the box and the ex-TNS man stepped up to smash in the 85th minute penalty.

The all-conquering Saints, however, had the final say as Draper’s header was deflected in off Will Bell in the 94th minute to make it a perfect 10 wins from 10 matches.

Meanwhile Aber’s very challenging run of 10 straight league games away from home ended, with their seventh defeat.

ABERYSTWYTH: D Richards, R Watts, S Rodon, W Bell, J Clarke, L Borrelli, R Wollacott, K March (G Walters 46), L Coyle (B Davies 65), D Alfei, C Jones (K Georgievsky 90’+2).

TN: P Harrison, S Spender, C Marriott, C Rawlinson, S Saunders, A Edwards (R Parry 73), J Routledge (P Baker 73), J Mullan, R Brobbel, A Darlington (W Fletcher 81), G Draper. Subs: R Pryce, J Jones, J Farleigh, A Wycherley (gk). Att: 175. Ref: T Williams.