BALA Town’s hopes of achieving second place in the JD Welsh Premier were dented as a 63rd minute winner from Michael Wilde earned rivals Connah’s Quay a crucial 1-0 win at Maes Tegid on Friday evening.

In doing so, the former TNS striker also secured a seventh consecutive Welsh Premier League title for his former club.

Wilde, who made over 200 appearances for the Saints, pounced on a mistake by Dave Thompson to slot home from six yards out and lift the Nomads into second place, two points above their hosts.

Lakesiders’ manager Colin Caton must now lift his side for their remaining four matches, starting with a trip to face Cefn Druids on Friday, followed by their run-in of games against The New Saints, Cardiff Metropolitan and Bangor City.

“It’s never a good game against Connah’s Quay, it’s always tight, with nothing much in it, and it was the same again tonight,” said the Lakesiders’ manager.

“We didn’t play well enough to win, but I don’t think they played well enough to win either. Scoring chances were few and far between, and it was a very tight game, and in the end a bad defensive error cost us.”

He added: “We were one point above Bangor and Connah’s Quay going into the game, and I was explaining to the lads that if we don’t perform and get the points we’ll be fourth, and we have to work hard to get back up to second place.

“Every game is going to be crucial, and it will be a very close run-in for us all.”

As is always the norm in clashes between the Lakesiders and the Nomads, it was a tight affair at Maes Tegid, with just one goal separating the sides the end.

Bala edged the first half and were able to keep Quay at bay in the early stages when Rob Hughes’ chance from 20 yards out was pushed away by Ashley Morris.

Michael Bakare blazed over the bar from a free kick, before a long throw from Bala’s Lewis Short was cleared by the Nomads’ defence down the other end.

The Lakesiders had an excellent chance on 23 minutes when keeper John Danby denied Chris Venables from eight yards, after good build-up play from Les Davies and Mike Hayes, and Jonny Spittle had to be alert to clear another promising move.

The visitors, however, were always a threat on the break and they had a penalty shout when Ryan Wignall went up against Short, but referee Kevin Parry ruled that Short had won the ball fairly.

Bala finished the half strongly, and Short danced down the wing, but his shot was driven over the bar, before Davies’ close range header was cleared away by Mike Pearson minutes before the interval.

Bala started the second half brightly, with Hayes being denied by Danby after going through one-on-one, before a freekick was headed away by Kai Edwards.

Nathan Burke saw his 20 yard strike go wide of the upright, but then on 63 minutes it was the visitors who took the lead.

Following a cross from Sean Smith, Andy Owens had an effort blocked which fell to Wilde who, having been on the pitch for just four minutes, scored the decisive goal from just eight yards out.

The Lakesiders looked to get back on level terms, and Rob Pearson saw his header saved, before a shot by Burke was pushed out for a corner, and Hayes and Davies linked well to allow Smith a chance to strike, but was deemed offside.

Davies got closer still as he twice rattled the base of the post with Danby beaten, but at the other end, Rob Hughes’ curling effort hit the top corner woodwork as the visitors held firm for a crucial win.

BALA TOWN: A Morris, S Jones, S J Jones, J Disney, N Burke, R Pearson, L Short (D Thompson 61’), C Venables, M Hayes (A Jones 83 minutes), L Davies, K Smith (E Horwood 73’). Subs not used: I Sheridan, G Rule.

CONNAH’S QUAY: J Danby, A Owens, S Smith, M Bakare (M Wilde 58’), M Pearson, D Poole, R Wignall, K Edwards, R Hughes, C Morris, J Spittle. Subs not used: R Williams, N Woolfe, J Phillips, T Bridges, J Barratt, D Elfie McHugh. Attendance: 233. Referee: K Parry.