ANDY MORRISON insists Connah’s Quay Nomads’ focus is on securing the top-flight’s runners-up spot with their title hopes “gone”.

Only an unexpected set of results between now and the end of the season would see Nomads overtake current leaders The New Saints, who are seven points clear with three games remaining.

Morrison concedes that his side’s title chances are over for another year following last week’s 1-0 defeat at Caernarfon, but there is still plenty to play for with third placed Barry Town United just three points behind heading into the home straight.

Second spot secures a place in the Scottish Challenge Cup, and proud Scotsman Morrison doesn’t want to miss out on the opportunity to enter the competition, which Nomads reached the final of this season.

“The championship is gone, it’s as simple as that,” declared Morrison, who saw Nomads lose 3-1 to Ross County in this season’s Scottish Challenge Cup final.

“We’ve got to go and cement second place and make sure we are in the Scottish Challenge Cup next year after what we did in the competition this year. The top two get back in this year and that’s got to be our goal.”

Nomads, who head to Bala Town tonight, are boosted by the return of Michael Wilde and Ryan Wignall from suspension, while the likes of John Danby, Danny Harrison and Callum Morris could all find themselves reinstated to the starting XI.

Wilde has been missing for three games after being sent-off in the 2-0 home defeat to The New Saints, and Morrison knows his team have missed the 12-goal frontman.

“He’s had a remarkable season,” said Morrison. “TNS let him go three seasons ago and they probably thought he was in the twilight of his career and coming to the end.

“Michael Wilde has trained better and more intensely, and covered more ground this year than since he’s come into the club.

“It’s remarkable the standards he’s set, his fitness levels and his desire week in, week out when we train because he trains the way he plays and he carries himself the same way away from the football club.

“I sit back and I look in my changing room and the tunnel when the lads walk out and I look at him and I know he’s cut out of the same wood as George Horan and Danny Harrison, and Callum Morris is beginning to be like that, while John Disney and Jay Owen are cut of the same wood.

“There have been so many things that have brought us success, but I can’t think of anything more important than the quality of my senior players.”

Nomads striker, Andy Owens is also looking forward to having Wilde and Wignall back amongst the attacking options at Morrison’s disposal.

“There’s been a lot of pressure on Baks, but with Wiggy back we’ve got that extra attacking option,” said Owens.

“When Baks gets doubled, or even trebled, up on, we’re able to come out the other side with Wiggy.

“Defenders in this league will find it tough when myself, Wildey, Wiggy and Baks are playing together in attack because there is every style of player there.

“With us four in the same team we know we can play different types of football when it’s needed.”

Saints will definitely wrap up the title with a win at third placed Barry tomorrow.

Boss Scott Ruscoe said: “We need three more points and we can celebrate.

“It’s a big game, away at Barry, who also give us a good test, and until it’s done we will be as professional as we can be.”

The other top-six clash sees Caernarfon play host to Newtown this evening.