CONNAH’S QUAY NOMADS boss Andy Morrison believed his side showed the qualities of champions as they came from behind to defeat Newtown 2-1 despite being down to ten men for over an hour.

It may have been their first game for three months but it was business as usual as they recorded their eighth consecutive victory, leaving them hot on the heels of leaders TNS, who played out a goal-less draw with third-placed Bala Town.

Yet it wasn’t all plain sailing for Morrison’s men, who lost Kris Owens to injury during the warm-up, adding to the growing list of injuries for the champions.

The hosts fell behind after 17 minutes, as Alex Fletcher’s effort put the hosts ahead. Seven minutes later and the Nomads were reduced to ten men as Jamie Insall saw red.

Despite the numerical and goal advantage, Newtown failed to capitalise and George Horan’s header levelled proceedings, which is how the score line remained at the break.

Michael Wilde headed his side ahead on the hour mark and after a resilient display for the last half an hour, the Nomads hung on to secure the three points.

The result and character shown certainly pleased Morrison, who said: “The character was never in doubt. We go one-nil down, it’s the only shot on target they’ve had all game, I can’t see how it’s gone in, I’ll need to look back at that.

“Then we go down to ten men, it’s a crazy decision from Jamie and the tackle is enough to warrant a red card. That lack of discipline could of cost us, should of cost us, but somehow, we find a way to get back into the game.

“It’s the character of the club again, it always comes through. The adversity, we always find a way to win, and we’ve done that again today.

“For me, there’s no other football club can do what we’ve just done. Down to ten men, one-nil down, on a pitch where we can’t move the ball, the pitch is absolutely killing us.

“For us to find a way back into the game is testament to the players, I’m very, very proud tonight. That’s eight wins on the spin and the qualities that the champions show.”

Morrison, who brought new signing Neil Danns on at half time, was quick to praise goal scorers Horan and Wilde after their efforts were vital in securing the win.

“What can I say that I haven’t already said over the years,” he said. “People write them off, I have six packs looking at me in the changing rooms, they’re ripped. I never look at the age, I look at the GPS and see if their doing the distances they were five years ago, they’re doing that and more. We’re very, very lucky to have them.”

Nomads are now just a point behind leaders TNS and have a game in hand on Scott Ruscoe’s side.

Ruscoe was happy with his side’s performance despite being held at home by Bala.

“I thought we were very good but we just weren’t clinical enough,” said Ruscoe.