MATHEW Jones’ 38th minute match-winning strike from distance kick-started Aberystwyth Town’s campaign as they held firm for a 1-0 win at Cardiff Met’s Cyncoed Campus, to reach the last eight of the Nathanial MG Cup on Tuesday.

The Seasiders' first clean sheet of the season secured a last-eight tie against Carmarthen Town 29 October, and was the students’ first home defeat since November 2018.

Seasiders’ manager Matthew Bishop made changes after their home defeat to Caernarfon Town four days earlier, as Edmilson Vaz, Lee Jenkins, Mathew Jones, Paulo Mendes and Richie Ricketts were all called up to the starting eleven.

The new-look team showed excellent defensive shape and discipline, restricting Met to half chances in the first half.

Dion Phillips’ early shot proved to be too easy for keeper Connor Roberts to save, and Dan Spencer had a shot deflected over from a promising position.

At the other end, Mathew Jones sent an early free kick just over the bar with the first shot on goal for the visiting team. The impressive Mael Davies tested Roberts again, but Tom Price forced home keeper Alex Lang into a save with a dangerous cross as the game opened up.

Dion Phillips brought a great save from keeper Roberts from close range, the visiting keeper also parried Spencer’s header, and Kyle McCarthy fired a free-kick over - but it was not all Met, as Aber’s forward four forced the Cup holders into making mistakes with their high press.

Joe Phillips showed some trickery before testing Lang again with a cross, but then came a huge moment in the game as Aber’s captain fantastic Marc Williams showed some great play to set up Jones, and his low 30 yard volley nestled into the bottom corner for a priceless lead, which vindicated the Seasiders’ tactics.

Alex Boss’ angled shot was saved by Lang, but just before the break Spencer missed out on Mael Davies’ right wing cross as the lead remained at the break.

Aber continued their excellent defensive display after the break, with Ryan Wollacott a rock at the back, and Richie Ricketts also doing very well to snuff out Phillips on Met’s right wing, and showing the odd attacking flourish to boot.

Jones and Paulo Mendes were huge in front of the back four as the visiting side restricted the students to half chances, with Joel Edwards firing a free-kick over.

At the other end, Joe Phillips cut inside but his shot was blocked, Jones’ free kick just evaded Wollacott and Jenkins at the back post, and Phillips picked out Tom Price in the box, but the talented Swansea-based midfielder failed to connect.

With Met relying increasingly on long throws, Aber were nearly there, but Roberts did have to make one final save to deny Kyle McCarthy from Phillips’ cross, and Charlie Corsby saw a a decent effort on goal deflected wide for a corner kick.

As in the previous round, the Seasiders held out in the driving rain, with the choruses of their excellent singing supporters backing them all the way to victory.

ABERYSTWYTH TOWN: Starting XI: Roberts, Wollacott, Mendes, Williams, Vaz, Jenkins, M. Jones, Ricketts, Boss, Price, Phillips. Substitutes: Pennock, S Jones, Boundford.