THE NEW SAINTS 0

BALA TOWN 0

AN outstanding team display at the champions earned Bala Town a first away point of the season.

Matchday seven saw the Lakesiders cause a stir on Friday night as they finally got their first point away from Maes Tegid this season and become the first club to keep The New Saints at bay at Park Hall.

From the outset, it was a positive display from the Lakesiders and with only 50 seconds played, they should have taken the lead.

Henry Jones' whipped corner caused home keeper Harrison to palm the ball away at near post.

TNS were their usual lively selves, with Bala number one Ashley Morris being called into action to deny Aeron Edwards after Simon Spender's great delivery on the right.

Henry Jones was causing problems for the home side, though, and he had a good chance to open the scoring when Chris Venables played him through.

However, instead of taking the chance instinctively, he hesitated, which allowed the Saints to clear.

Bala had a shout for hand ball in the area waved away, before Morris brilliantly saved Redmond's effort at the other end.

Ebbe and Edwards had further chance for the league leaders, but defensively, Town looked strong and they were keeping them at bay.

Five minutes before the interval and Bala threatened once more.

A header from the left came to Venables, which was hacked away at the last second by Blaine Hudson.

The Saints also posed a threat and Redmond fizzed chance past the post a minute before half-time.

Bala's excellent first half performance was put well and truly to the test in the second period.

But, credit must go to Town who kept it going during the second 45 minutes.

They were under a lot of pressure from the home side for the majority of the second half.

Redmond weaved through the backline, but fired wide, while Edwards struck the ball over and Marriott headed over.

Bala had the best opportunity of the game, though.

A blazing run from Henry Jones saw him swing the ball at the back post to Evan Horwood, who placed the ball on a plate to Steven Tames five yards out, but the League's leading top goalscorer put the ball over the bar.

TNS took a hold of the game with waves of pressure and the introduction of Greg Draper and Adrian Cieslewicz showed their intent.

However the back five of Morris, Burns, the two Stuart Jones' and Smith were putting in a shift and a half for Bala and they coped with the efforts from Routledge, Draper and Ebbe in the final 10 minutes.

In the final minute of stoppage time, Ashley Morris made a fantastic save to stop Cieslewicz's effort and ensure that Bala walked away with a point from Park Hall.