HUW GRIFFITHS hailed match-winner Nathan Peate as he returned from suspension to hand Cefn Druids a crucial victory at Carmarthen Town.

Peate has been forced to watch the last three league and cup matches from the sidelines after seeing red during the goalless draw with Llanelli earlier this month.

But Peate went some way to repaying his team-mates and manager with the only goal of the game at Richmond Park.

The central defender seized on an error from home stopper Lee Idzi to head the only goal of the game 18 minutes from time.

Victory moved Druids up to ninth in the table and 10 points clear of the relegation zone with six matches remaining.

Griffiths was delighted with Peate, saying: "He's repaid us with three points, which shows the magnitude of the player.

"Nathan had the hunger and desire to win the header and there is no-one else I'd want challenging for a header from a standing jump."

On his side's performance as a whole, Griffiths was pleased with a hard-fought victory against Neil Smothers' Old Gold.

"We were good value for the win," said Griffiths. "We should have been in-front before half-time, and obviously got the goal in the second-half.

"They put us under a bit of pressure in the last five or 10 minutes and I'm sure Neil Smothers will be a bit disappointed not to score, but overall I thought we were worthy winners.

"It was really pleasing to get the win and go above Carmarthen in the table ahead of a break in the fixture schedule.

"The gap between us and the bottom two has widened to 10 points and we can look forward to welcoming Llandudno to The Rock a week on Friday."