BALA Town safely made it through to the last-16 of the Welsh Cup courtesy of a 2-0 home success versus Cymru Premier League rivals Flint Town United.

The Lakesiders started strongly with long-range efforts, the first of which saw George Newell hit the crossbar.

Then Kieran Smith had an effort that forced a good sprawling save from Harry Owen.

Flint started to gain a foothold in the tie after this and from a free kick 25 yards out, former Bala player Anthony Stephens glanced his shot off the top of the bar.

However, the hosts would claim the lead on 27 minutes.

Lassana Mendes stood up a ball just beyond the far post for skipper Chris Venables to plant his header into the net despite the best efforts of two Flint defenders.

The Silkmen reacted strongly to this setback, and almost found an equaliser within a minute of the restart.

Okera Simmonds set up Jean-Louis Akpa-Akpro, whose shot went agonisingly wide of the post.

Flint came out for the second half with renewed purpose and took the game to the home side.

Mark Cadwallader's shot from a tight angle was wide of Alex Ramsay’s goal and Simmonds had a chance with a header that went over the target.

Flint’s hopes of mounting a comeback were dealt a critical blow on 62 minutes, following a corner.

Although, all but one of their outfield players were brought back to defend it, no one was stationed on the edge of the box, and as it was initially cleared, Smith was waiting in exactly that position to chest the ball down and then strike a half-volley through a crowd of players and into the net.