ABERYSTWYTH Town came within minutes of a crucial win at the KYMCO Stadium - but in the end the Seasiders had to settle for a crucial point in a 1-1 draw at Penybont, to move up to eighth spot in the JD Cymru Premier.

Wes Baynes had put Aber within sight of the three points with a superb 56th minute free kick, but former Seasider Kostya Georgievsky popped up at the back post to snaffle a 91st minute equaliser.

"It feels like we’ve lost," said Aberystwyth's assistant manager Gavin Allen. "I asked the lads tonight for effort and desire, and to win their own battles on the pitch, and I think they've done well.

"They worked their socks off, and were unlucky not to come away with three points, which would have been massive for us. It was always going to be who took their chances. Connor (Roberts) has pulled off three fantastic saves for us, but going the other way, we’ve had a couple of good chances to score as well.

"But tonight was all about our work ethic, we came here and tried to stop them playing, and they didn’t pass the ball through us. The boys won their battles, so we can take positives from that."

The visitors' starting side had a distinctly local flavour to it, with Geoff Kellaway, Lee Jenkins, Stuart and Mathew Jones and Richie Ricketts all being involved.

On a soggy night, early chances were limited as Luke Borrelli, another ex-Seasider, headed past the post, and Keenan Patten also went close to opening the scoring soon for the hosts.

Aber though improved, and Tom Price was denied, before up to 40 visiting supporters then sighed as Marc Williams headed wide from Mathew Jones’ cross.

Impressive Aber keeper Connor Roberts saved from Patten, but Jenkins then went close with a header from a Mathew Jones corner, before Roberts had to be alert to save Mike George’s deep cross.

Kellaway sent in a superb ball, which evaded everyone, but with Aber defending doggedly, and Jenkins and co making vital blocks time after time, Aber were good value for a goalless half-time score.

Then, 11 minutes into an even second half, the Seasiders won a free kick on the edge of the area, and Baynes curled in an absolute beauty of a goal to break the deadlock and instil belief in his team.

Penybont hit the post soon after, signalling an extended period of pressure from the home team, with Aber seemingly happy to sit back and soak up the home side’s best efforts.

Baynes sent an effort inches past the post from another free kick for the visitors, and then at the other end keeper Roberts was down well to deny Nathan Wood’s curling effort.

Kane Owen also hit the bar for the home side with a deep corner, and then back up the other end Kellaway set up the tireless Williams down the right, but his effort was blocked.

A series of corners and vital clearances from the Seasiders' defence followed, with keeper Roberts pulling off one excellent point blank save to maintain the lead.

The chances continued at both ends as Baynes crossed for Williams, who forced a good save from Rhys Wilson, whilst Roberts then denied sub Cullen Kinsella.

When Hutson sent an effort over the bar it looked like Aber were going to hang on for a much-needed three points, but then in injury time disaster struck.

A deep cross from the left fell nicely for sub Kostya Georgievsky to net from five yards, and earn his side a point, which on the balance of play they surely deserved.

Aber had got so close to a clean sheet, but crucially they had not lost, and the away point, which saw them jump two positions, was a valuable one indeed.

PENYBONT: R Wilson, K Owen, J Saddler, C Jemmett-Hutson, L Borrelli (D Griffiths 60’), N Wood, D Jefferies, M Harris (K Georgievsky 78’), O Warlow, M George, K Patten (Kinsella 43’). Subs: B Borge (gk), Dalton, Summerfield.

ABERYSTWYTH: C Roberts, W Baynes, R Edwards (A Hughes 88’), G Kellaway (J Phillips 77’), P Mendes, M Williams, L Jenkins, S J Jones, M Jones, R Ricketts, T Price (A Boss 77’). Subs not used: A Pennock (gk), R Wollacott, E Vaz. Ref: G Townsend. Att: 254.