Plucky Crows deny Nomads

CONNAH'S Quay boss Nev Powell saw his hopes of a top-three finish take a serious knock against lowly Cwmbran. Ahead of the game he felt the Crows' lack of goals gave Nomads a real opportunity, but it was the Gwent outfit who pointed the way to the back of the net by taking the lead on 19 minutes.

They had already shown an appetite to go forward when a cross from the right found Martin Houston in space and the Scot headed firmly past keeper Paul Smith.

Tommy Mutton responded by hitting the Cwmbran crossbar and the hosts also had claims for a sending-off when Gareth Wesson's hand appeared to make contact with the ball when clearing outside his box.

They had to wait until the 67th-minute for an equaliser when Craig Garside finished from Marc Limbert's free-kick, but the Crows forged ahead again through Houston, who finished from an acute angle after the home defence had failed to clear.

With time running out, the visitors were clinging to three vital points in their battle to avoid the drop, with keeper Wesson making two superb saves to keep Nomads at bay and Phil Molyneaux hitting the bar. But their hopes were dashed three minutes from time when Garside volleyed home from 12 yards.

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