ANDREW THOMAS felt it was a case of ‘two points dropped’ as Airbus were held to a 1-1 draw by rivals Cefn Druids.

The Wingmakers only had Andy Owens’ goal to show for an impressive first-half performance, while the hosts rattled the woodwork in the second period.

And Druids made their hosts pay as they showed why they are battling it out for a top-six spot by earning a point courtesy of James Davies.

Airbus assistant boss Thomas said: “I think we should have got all three points.

“We were very good in the first-half and the game should have been over.

“They had more possession in the second-half, but we had a lot of very good chances to score.

“Their only chances were going to come from set-plays, we knew that, and that’s how the goal arrived.

“It was a frustrating end to the game, but we’ve moved up a place in the table.”

Airbus were boosted by the return of Steve Tomassen and George Hughes to their starting XI with Jordan Evans fit enough for a place on the bench.

“We had some experienced players back,” said Thomas. “It shows how competitive we can be when we’ve got a near fully fit squad available.”

Druids’ sporting director Huw Griffiths was impressed by the hosts’ performance.

“I thought Airbus were excellent in the first-half,” said Griffiths.

“We were the only team looking to win it in the second-half, apart from on the break, but they were very good.

“They picked a big, physical team, a side that could do the job of not getting beaten, a workmanlike team.

“Airbus did their homework, they showed great resilience and offered a threat on the break - they broke with purpose.

“I was impressed with them.”

The draw was a blow to Druids’ top-six aspirations with Newtown moving to within a point courtesy of a 2-0 success at Penybont.

On his side’s top-six chances, Griffiths said: “All we can do is look after Cefn Druids Football Club.

“We need a minimum of two wins from the last four games before the split and that might not be enough.

“It looks like it could be a record tally to get into the top-six.”

Next-up for Druids is a Boxing Day clash with The New Saints, who head to The Rock on the back of a 2-1 home defeat to Cardiff Met.

Joel Edwards - sent-off late on - and Will Evans scored either side of Ryan Brobbel’s leveller to win it for the Archers.

Saints’ boss Scott Ruscoe said: “We are not going to win every game, but it’s the manner in which we win, lose or draw that’s important. In the second-half we threw everything at it.

“Cardiff Met have come here and started the game very well, which makes it difficult, but we got back into it very quickly.

“The fact they got the goal out of nothing - a big kick down the pitch and they are in - hurts a little bit.”

Kieran Mills-Evans and Niall Flint scored second-half goals as Newtown secured an important three points at Penybont.

Barry Town United also did their top-six hopes the world of good with a 1-0 triumph at Aberystwyth Town.

Kayne McLaggon struck the only goal of the game in the 65th minute for Gavin Chesterfield’s men.