CONNAH'S QUAY NOMADS' title hopes were left in tatters as they suffered a 1-0 loss to Caernarfon Town.

That result, coupled with The New Saints' ruthless 6-0 success at Newtown, left Scott Ruscoe's seven points clear of Andy Morrison's men with just three games remaining.

But with a Europa League spot wrapped up and a Welsh Cup final to look forward to, all is not lost for Nomads, who were undone at The Oval by a superb strike from Gareth Evans.

Morrison, who headed north immediately after the final whistle to be with his family on what would have been his brother's birthday, tweeted: "Not a great journey after a defeat but plenty of time to reflect on football and life .

"Back to work on Monday, 4 huge games left. Bring it on."

Nomads were without the suspended Michael Wilde and Ryan Wignall, while experienced campaigners John Danby and Danny Harrison, as well as Callum Morris were absent from the starting XI.

Caernarfon boss Sean Eardley revealed surprise at the visiting side's starting XI, but knew his team would have to be up for a battle to get anything from the contest.

Eardley said: "It's always going to be hard-fought against Connah's Quay.

"You have to earn the right to get your noses in-front and have an impact on the game, and I thought the lads from one to 11, the substitutes and the whole group to be fair, were fantastic.

"I was a little bit surprised by their starting line-up as there were one or two changes.

"But their season has been one hell of a season with final after final.

"I don't think you can take anything from my lads."

Morrison prides himself on 1-0 victories, but Nomads were on the wrong end of that scoreline at The Oval, much to Eardley's delight.

He added: "It's annoying if you are on the wrong end of one, but it's the best score if you win with a clean sheet and three points."

Eardley was not alone in celebrating at the final whistle, Saints boss Ruscoe revealing: "I looked at the score at 10.20pm and it was nice to look and see Connah's Quay have been beaten."

That result was just the incentive Saints needed to continue their wonderful run of form as they thumped Newtown to move to within one win of the title.

Greg Draper fired a hat-trick with Aeron Edwards, Ryan Brobbel and Kurtis Byrne completing the rout for the full-focused Saints.

Ruscoe continued: "One more win and we win the league, it's as simple as that, we need to keep our eyes on the prize.

"We said before the game that there was no point in Caernarfon beating Connah's Quay if we slipped up at Newtown.

"It was a fantastic performance."

Barry Town United secured Europa League football with a memorable 5-2 success over struggling Bala Town.

After a goalless first-half the game burst into life in spectacular fashion as Chris Venables and Kieran Smith put Bala 2-0 up by the hour mark.

But Barry roared back with four goals in 10 minutes through Kayne McLaggon (2), Jordan Cotterill and Momodou Touray, before Drew Fahiya added the fifth late on.

Barry boss Gavin Chesterfield revealed his delight at creating another memorable chapter in the club's history.

Chesterfield tweeted: "Wow what a journey. 6 years ago we didn’t have a shirt to play in.

"Some things are worth fighting for. Time to write another chapter. #daretodream"