ANDY MORRISON saluted Connah's Quay Nomads after they climbed back to the top of the Welsh Premier League with a 2-0 home success over Newtown.

Nomads' title hopes were dealt a blow when they lost to rivals The New Saints last weekend, but goals in either half from George Horan and Michael Bakare saw the Flintshire outfit bounce back immediately.

Boss Morrison said: "I thought the players managed the game great. These games are difficult and they are getting more and more difficult."

Morrison felt Newtown were fortunate to find themselves only a goal behind at the break, Horan's powerful header separating the teams.

He continued: "It's a 1-0 battering. I don't think they've got into our box in the first-half, I don't think they've got within 20 yards of our goal and John Danby's not touched the ball in any danger.

"They've gone in and said: 'Wow. We are very fortunate not to be two or three goals down here'.

"As the game goes on there becomes a level of nervousness until the second goal puts that to bed."

Bakare bagged the all-important second goal, the former Wrexham attacker firing a half-volley into the Newtown net four minutes from time.

Morrison revealed that the 32-year-old might not have been on the pitch to net the second goal, explaining: "We were thinking about changing things around because he wasn't really impacting the game.

"The opinion is that he will make something happen, he will get us a goal with a bit of magic.

"I know Michael will want the perfect performance and he will want more from himself, so the goal really picks him up.

"You can't be at the top of your game all of the time, taking three or four players on."

Nomads were boosted by the return of winger Ryan Wignall, who played an hour, and Declan Poole, who came off the bench for the final 13 minutes.

"It freshens everything up," said a pleased Morrison. "They have different qualities to what we've had. It's great to have them back.

"I thought Wiggy did great for an hour considering he's been out for two months.

"He gives us that little bit of flair. Yes, he's temperamental, we know that, but that's the DNA of his game. He plays on the edge."

But Morrison wasn't overly happy with some of the 'theatrics' of the visiting side throughout the contest.

"There's stuff that goes on that leaves a bitter taste in my mouth," declared Morrison, who has signed former Northampton full-back Raheem Hanley on a deal until January 2020.

"Everyone knows I was a centre-half and everyone knows how I see the game and what I ask of my players.

"I'm so fortunate that I have men that stand up and be men.

"My warriors and my lads who stand up and be counted reflect who the manager is."

Newtown boss Chris Hughes felt Nomads' quality in the final third proved the difference between the two teams.

"I thought it was a good battle throughout. We didn't back down and they didn't back down," said Hughes.

"Ultimately they had a little bit more quality than us in the end.

"I can be pleased with the commitment and endeavour, but the one thing we can learn from them is their quality in the final third."

Barry Town United's title challenge appears over after they were beaten 2-0 by visiting Bala, who recorded a first win since Boxing Day.

Andrew Burns and a penalty from Chris Venables handed Bala a very welcome three points.

Venables said: "It's a relief and long overdue.

"We played well and it's a great feeling to get the three points."