CONNAH’S QUAY NOMADS won’t be bringing in the new year at the top of the Welsh Premier League after they lost 2-1 at Bala Town.

Sean Smith returned to haunt his former club with an early opener, before Henry Jones doubled the Bala lead on 15 minutes.

Jones saw a penalty saved by John Danby soon after as Bala dominated, but Nomads got a foothold in the game when Nathan Burke put through his own net prior to the break.

Try as they might, Nomads were unable to find a leveller against Bala, who had Steve Tames sent-off late on, and they slipped to a first defeat in eight league games, losing their place at the top of the table to Barry Town United.

Nomads boss Andy Morrison bemoaned his side’s start to proceedings, saying: “I wouldn’t say it is difficult to take because if you are going to concede goals like we did in the first-half against a strong, resolute and organised team you are going to find very, very hard to get into the game.

“We were 2-0 down and both goals were our own doing, which makes it really tough.

“We saved a penalty, made a change and got back into the game.

“In the second-half you hope that something will fall for you. We’ve hit the post, we’ve hit the crossbar, had three or four cleared off the line and a goal given offside, which I’d like to see back.

“The fundamentals and basics of football don’t change. Don’t concede goals through your own mistakes and when you get opportunities to score - take them.

“You have to be so on top of the first 20 minutes in this league because they set the direction of the game.

“In that first 15 or 20 minutes we were nowhere near good enough. Sometimes you get away with it and you wake up, but we had to wake up 2-0 down.”

Barry moved two points clear at the top after beating Cardiff Met 2-1. Kayne McLaggon and Jordan Cotterill scored for the new leaders with Eliot Evans’ replying.

The New Saints are now four points off top after they thumped Cefn Druids 7-0.

Huw Griffiths’ Ancients arrived at Park Hall on the back of victory over Aberystwyth on Saturday, but it was an afternoon to forget for the visitors.

Ryan Brobbel helped himself to a hat-trick, while Kurtis Byrne struck twice with Greg Draper and Jamie Mullan completing the rout.

Druids are eight points above the drop zone after second from bottom Llanelli were held 1-1 by 10th placed Carmarthen Town.

Michael George handed Llanelli the lead, but Luke Bowen hit back for the Old Gold.

Newtown moved a step closer to securing a top-six place as they beat Aberystwyth Town 2-0.

Former Wrexham duo Steve Leslie and Nick Rushton scored a goal in either half, the former's from the spot, as the Robins secured a crucial three points.

Caernarfon's home clash with rock-bottom Llandudno was abandoned at half time due to a power cut.

The game was goalless at the time, although Caernarfon were down to 10-men after Ryan Williams was sent-off for bringing down Llandudno's Alun Webb midway through the 45 minutes.