CONNAH’S QUAY NOMADS remain unbeaten in the Cymru Premier League despite putting in what was described as an ‘appalling’ performance by boss Andy Morrison.

The Nomads have now slipped to fourth after they drew 1-1 at Newtown to leave them with three wins and four draws so far this season.

Ex-Wrexham striker Nick Rushton put Newtown ahead against his former team, breaking the deadlock shortly before the break.

Michael Bakare, though, executed a sublime finish just after the hour mark to ensure the Nomads left Latham Park with a point.

Nomads boss Morrison wasn’t happy and said: “It was as frustrating as I’ve seen. The first 20 minutes were as poor as I’ve seen in four years, we were absolutely appalling.

“We lost every first header and every second ball they got to first. They kept us penned in and we couldn’t get any touches and we couldn’t get into the game.

“We’ve had a week’s rest after three games in six days where we were very good. But we turned up tonight and put as pathetic a performance as I’ve seen since I’ve been at the club but somehow, we dug ourselves out of it.

“We scored a great goal where the movement was good, and on reflection, I’m happy to leave here with a point on that performance.

“I’m pleased to leave with a point because that’s as poor of a first half as I’ve had in two or three years.”

Morrison named Danny Harrison in the Connah’s Quay defence to fill in for the suspended George Horan who was sent off in last week’s win over Aberystwyth and the hosts started on the front foot with Ian Sheridan, Craig Williams and Rushton all going close before the latter broke through to fire into the roof of the net on the stroke of half-time.

Nathan Woolfe came on for Jamie Insall at the interval, and the substitute maybe should have drawn his side level just seconds after the restart as he dragged an effort wide from six yards.

About the missed opportunity, Morrison said: “He’s got to ask a question of the keeper.

“He’s free on the six-yard box and we missed the target again. We had two or three good chances, but we didn’t take them.”

Bakare made no such mistake, though, as he latched on to a long ball from Priestley Farquharson before chipping it over the head of the onrushing Newtown keeper and tapping the ball into an open goal as it dropped.

Bakare could have doubled his tally to seal an away win but he saw a volley flash over before Dave Jones in the Newtown goal read his run to smother the ball as the striker prepared to pull the trigger.

The Nomads now turn their attentions to Wednesday’s Welsh League Cup fixture against Guilsfield.

Former Wrexham youngster Leo Smith starred again for Caernarfon Town as they stretched their unbeaten run to six games after recording a second consecutive 3-2 win. Smith scored along with Noah Edwards and Nathan Craig in a 3-2 victory at Aberystwyth Town for whom Joe Phillips and Mendes replied.

Third-placed Cardiff Met also came from behind to win 2-1 at Bala Town, who went in front through Henry Jones. But Eliot Evans and Dion Phillips turned things around.