Connah’s Quay Nomads missed out on the chance to strengthen their bid for the runners-up spot as they slipped to a 3-1 defeat at The New Saints.

March’s player of the month, Michael Bakare, gave second placed Nomads a first-half lead, but the Flintshire side imploded after the break.

Greg Draper levelled from the penalty spot, and rounded off the scoring after Ryan Pryce had scored Saints’ second.

Nomads boss Andy Morrison was frustrated that his side couldn’t kill off the game when they were on top.

“Key moments in games change things,” said Morrison. “We are 1-0 up and playing really well, we’ve had two or three great chances at the start of the second-half where we’ve put the press on and caught them, but we’ve not worked the goalkeeper or moved the ball quick enough.

“Then we’ve made a terrible decision which puts them back in the game.

“I worried about the reaction when they got back in the game, because the pitch got quicker and they are going to ball really well.

“You could just see that they’ve got that extra bit of quality. We’ve had chances to finish the game and we’ve not taken them.”

It was not the result Morrison had hoped for, but he was still encouraged by some of his players’ performances against a team he accepts are better than his.

He continued: “There were some fantastic performances. I thought Callum (Morris) was immense again, I thought Rob Hughes was very, very good and Andy (Owens) caused them all sorts of problems.

“But it wasn’t our night and we’ve got one ‘cup final’ out of the way with another one to one next Friday.

“There was some really pleasing stuff, but ultimately we are playing a team which is much better than us. It’s down to basics.

“There is a team playing with freedom, at their own ground and they are at the top of their game.

“This was TNS’ full team, this wasn’t their under-19s and I thought they were very good.”

Bala’s preparations for the end of season play-offs failed to go to plan as they were beaten 4-3 at Cardiff Met.

Mike Hayes gave Bala the lead, but Met were 3-1 to the good at the break thanks to goals from Jordan Lam, Wil Evans and Eliot Evans.

Chris Venables reduced the deficit for Bala, but Ben Bowler netted Met’s fourth before Evan Horwood set up a tense finish with the visitors’ third goal.

Carmarthen’s relegation was confirmed after they drew 1-1 with hosts Aberystwyth.

Tom Owens broke the deadlock for Aberystwyth, who were pegged back by Ceri Morgan’s effort, but it was not enough to keep the Old Gold up.

Ethan Jones (2) and Kieran Mills-Evans struck as Newtown beat already relegated Prestatyn 3-0, while Barry Town United won 3-2 at Llandudno.

Jonathan Hood (2) and James Sadler scored for visiting Barry, managed by March's top boss Gavin Chesterfield, with Luke Cooper’s own goal and Danny Shaw’s effort giving Llandudno hope.