TNS overcome Doherty's howler

TNS extended their Welsh Premier lead to seven points, but they believe in doing things the hard way.

Despite dominating an injury-stricken Connah's Quay for most of the afternoon, they had to wait until eight minutes from time to make the game safe.

Down on their luck Nomads have lost four players with broken bones in recent weeks and, with striker Stuart Rain injured and recent signing Ryan Williamson on holiday, their resources were stretched.

Manager Nev Powell turned to Flint Town United brothers Sean and Scott Beck, who were able to play as their game was postponement following the tragic death of team-mate Laurence Horn in a car crash.

Nomads were quickly under the cosh as TNS pressed for an early goal, but they held out for 24 minutes.

An excellent one-two between Tommy Holmes and Marc Lloyd-Williams found Nicky Ward on the left and he placed his shot inside the far post past a despairing George Horan.

Michael Wilde went close from 18 yards but the Saints failed to capitalise on their possession before the break.

On 52 minutes, Quay striker Tommy Mutton felt he should have been awarded a penalty, but he was all smiles moments later as TNS keeper Gerard Doherty made a schoolboy howler to gift him an equaliser.

He had Mutton's weakly struck shot well covered but allowed it to slip from his gloves and over the line.

Ward was sparking most of the Saints' best moves and his run and cross saw Lloyd-Williams denied by keeper Andy Hughes.

The keeper did well to keep out a Martin Naylor free-kick with Tommy Holmes then blasting over following a combination move with Lloyd-Williams.

The breakthrough finally arrived from a Naylor free-kick, which was flicked on by Steve Evans' head for Wilde to net his 18th league goal of the season at the back post.

Nomads claimed the goal was offside, but referee Morgan disagreed and, with events going their way at Rhyl's Belle Vue, TNS took another step towards their second Welsh Premier championship.

Match report and photo courtesy of welsh-premier.com