THE New Saints (TNS) returned to the back of the top of the JD Cymru Premier table as the twists and turns of the 2020/21 campaign continued on Saturday.

In the first fixtures of phase two, following the league’s ‘split’, The Saints capitalised on Connah’s Quay Nomads’ shock 2-0 home defeat to Penybont with a 1-0 win over Bala Town.

Andy Morrison’s Nomads suffered only their second defeat of the season as Bont secured a massive three points thanks to goals in either half from Kane Owen (penalty) and Kostya Georgievsky.

It was advantage TNS then as they went into Saturday’s evening kick off - and an seventh minute strike from Ryan Brobbel, who recently returned from a long-term injury proved to be the difference between them and Bala Town at Maes Tegid.

That victory sees TNS move back to the summit of the JD Cymru Premier table - on 57 points, equal with Nomads and separated only by Goal Difference.

That sets up a very interesting finish to the Championship Phase of the table.

Elsewhere in the top six half of the table, Barry Town United secured a dramatic and vital three points with a 1-0 win at Caernarfon Town.

Curtis Jemmett-Hutson’s injury-time strike at the Oval saw Gavin Chesterfield’s side close the gap between them and third-placed Bala Town to just three points.

In the bottom six, both Flint Town United and Cefn Druids picked up huge wins of their own to set up a tense finale in the race to avoid relegation from the JD Cymru Premier.

Neil Gibson’s Flint beat Cardiff Met Uni 2-0 to condemn their opponents to the bottom two spaces in the league.

Connor Harwood and Callum Bratley scored before Flint went down to ten men with 12 minutes to go when Alex Jones was sent off but hung on for three points and a clean sheet.

Cefn Druids did their bit in the quest to stay up with a 2-1 win over Haverfordwest County. Niall Flint put them ahead before Daniel Williams had seemingly rescued a point for the Bluebirds.

But there was still time for more drama very late on as Charley Edge struck the winner for the Ancients, who remain bottom of the table for now, but will no doubt take great confidence from that performance.

In Friday evening’s match, Newtown came away from rivals Aberystwyth Town with a 2-1 win.

Skipper Marc Williams gave Aber the lead in the first half and they had looked like going on to win. However, late goals from Tyrone Ofori and Jordan Evans saw the Robins walk away victorious.