CONNAH’S QUAY NOMADS showed exactly why they are reigning champions by rescuing victory from the jaws of defeat.

Winning when not at your best is the mark of champions and Andy Morrison’s men did just enough to leave the capital with all three points.

Priestley Farquharson and Craig Curran struck inside the final quarter of an hour to secure a 2-1 win over Cardiff Met, who had led through Dylan Rees.

Boss Morrison wasn’t impressed by what he saw from his side, saying: “We had to be better after the first 20 minutes, because it’s the poorest 20 minutes I’ve had in five years at the football club.

“I don’t believe the players thought they could just turn up and win because these were on a poor run, but the decision making, intensity and apathy throughout the team was really poor.

“Then Wildey (Michael Wilde) goes and gets a nasty gash above his eye and again you’re thinking that everything that can go against us has - as it has now for a few weeks.

“Then we go 1-0 down and half-time was really about trying to encourage the players to try and get back to basics and do the things that have made us successful.

“That comes from heart and desire, which was lacking.

“We’ve had a really busy period of games and it felt in the first-half that it had caught up with us.

“It’s the right result in the end.”

And while Nomads were struggling on the pitch, Morrison was growing increasingly frustrated by what he was seeing from Christian Edwards’ Archers.

Morrison said: “I’ve got to be careful what I say, because I’ve had an awful lot of respect for Christian and his team over the years.

“I understand what comes with desperation when results are going against you and you are desperate for a win, and I understand you might step over the line.

“But there was stuff today that was really, really poor.

“I said the players when we were 1-0 down with 25 minutes to go ‘stay honest, work hard and things will turn for us’.

“They did, we’ve gone and won the game and it’s the right result for many, many reasons.

“I was so disappointed with a lot of what was going on, and I’ve never said that in five years of playing against Cardiff Met.

“It doesn’t sit with me being prehistoric or an old-school centre-half, it’s about men being men.”

Nomads remain a point clear of The New Saints, who they tackle tomorrow night.

Scott Ruscoe’s Saints were convincing 4-0 winners at nine-man Penybont.

Louis Robles scored a first-half brace, before Greg Draper netted two of his own in the second period, including one from the spot.

“I’m really pleased,” said Ruscoe. In the first-half we were excellent, we were energetic, all over them in terms of winning the ball back, keeping it and creating chances.”

Penybont had Nathan Wood and Kostya Georgievsky sent-off in quick succession late on, Ruscoe adding: “I still think there was room for more attacking play even though we got four goals.

“Don’t just keep the ball for possession’s sake.”

Bala Town were also commanding victors as they defeated Aberystwyth Town 5-2.

Marc Williams gave Aber the lead, but Will Evans, Sean Smith and a double from Chris Venables, including a penalty put Bala in total control.

Steven Hewitt pulled a goal back from the spot as Aber rallied, although Bala had the final say through Raul Correia.

Kayne McLaggon’s 93rd minute penalty rescued a point for Barry Town United at Newtown, who looked set for victory courtesy of James Davies’s opener.