ANDY MORRISON believes The New Saints showed why they are champions after beating Connah's Quay Nomads in game of few chances.

Greg Draped converted a 24th minute penalty to settle a closely fought contest that was acting as a dress rehearsal for next Sunday's Welsh Cup final.

"It's probably the mark of champions," said Morrison, who was replying to the question of how Nomads had lost when goalkeeper Lewis Brass hadn't had a save to make.

"I don't think Paul Harrison has had a save to make either."

Morrison did question whether the decision to award Saints a penalty was the correct one with Danny Holmes adjudged to have fouled Tom Holland.

"The game has changed on a decision, on a penalty," he said.

"If the referee doesn't give it no-one asks a question.

"I will have to see it back. I've seen it from our highlights and it looks like the two of them have got to the ball together.

"It's an incredibly harsh decision to give a penalty in a game like this. It's a game-changing decision.

"Without seeing it clearly, the referee might have got it right, but in the context of the game no-one would have said a word if it hadn't been given."

Saints boss Scott Ruscoe saw the penalty incident slightly differently to his counterpart.

"From where I was it looked a clear penalty," said Ruscoe. "Tom's got to the ball first and their lad has lunged in."

While Morrison wasn't overly pleased with the only goal of the game, he was happy enough with his side's performance.

The likes of George Horan, Danny Harrison and Ryan Wignall were given the night off as Nomads planned for the Welsh Cup final at The Rock.

"We stayed in the game for long periods and gradually built into it in the second-half," said Morrison.

"There were some really pleasing things. We can be much sharper with the ball, we can be much brighter, make better decisions, put the ball into better areas and ask more questions of them.

"We will go a completely different way of playing in the final.

"We wanted to look at a few things. A few things worked and a few things didn't, but it gives us food for thought."

Victory for Saints means the gap between the champions and second placed Nomads was extended to 12 points, although Ruscoe's men were forced to settle for 99 league goals.

"The record books say 12 points," said a pleased Ruscoe on the gulf between the two.

"They say we just missed out on 100 goals, but also that we got 20 clean sheets."

Kayne McLaggon's 96th minute penalty changed the outlook of the play-offs as Barry Town United upset Newtown's plans.

The Robins needed at least a four-goal swing over Caernarfon to climb to fourth and secure a home clash with Cardiff Met.

With Caernarfon losing 1-0 at Bala, who saw Henry Jones find the net, Newtown were doing their bit as they led Barry 3-0 with time running out, courtesy of efforts from George Hughes, Steve Leslie and Curtis Watkins' own goal.

But McLaggon's late spot-kick means Newtown will now host Bala Town on Friday, May 10 with Caernarfon entertaining Cardiff Met the following night.

A much-changed Met outfit finished their campaign with a 3-2 home win over Llanelli, who twice led through Michael George and Chris Jones' penalty.

Tim Parker twice cancelled out the Llanelli efforts, before Liam Black struck Met's winner seven minutes from time.