Shropshire Star

TNS involved in a four-way tie at the summit

There's a four-way tie at the top of the Welsh Premier League after The New Saints were locked in a goalless draw at one of their chief rivals Bala Town.

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Despite dominating much of the live TV encounter, and carving out several good opportunities, the defending champions were unable to find a way through a resolute Bala rearguard.

The draw between the league's two remaining unbeaten sides means TNS still hold pole position on goal difference, but are one of four teams on 13 points along with Bala, Newtown and Airbus UK Broughton.

It proved a frustrating encounter for Craig Harrison's men, who took the game to the Lakesiders only to lack the finishing touch in front of goal.

Simon Spender almost gave the visitors an ideal start but his effort was superbly blocked by the first of two goal line clearances from full-back John Irving.

Mike Wilde also went close when his far-post header from Chris Marriott's left-wing cross was superbly turned away by keeper Ashley Morris at full stretch.

The home goalkeeper made another good stop from Aeron Edwards' acrobatic half volley.

After the break, TNS dominated possession as the hosts played increasingly deeper, but were unable to turn their territorial advantage into goals.

The visitors increased the tempo as they swarmed forward, but the Lakesiders defended stoutly to ensure a fifth clean sheet in seven league outings.

Chris Seargeant fired over from the edge of the box after terrific play on the right involving Ryan Edwards and Spender.

The Saints went agonisingly close on 66 minutes when the luckless Wilde saw his header deflected just past the post.

A teasing cross from substitute Adrian Cieslewicz just missed the head of Wilde, as Bala continued to ride their luck.

Five minutes from time the visitors thought they had made the breakthrough, only to be denied by some more resilient defending.

Seargeant launched a mazy run down the right and crossed for substitute Matty Williams, who turned and shot low.

But, despite beating goalkeeper Morris, Irving was again in the right place to clear off the line.

Williams was to be denied by more desperate defending from Cieslewicz's inviting cross in the dying moments, but Bala almost snatched victory against the run of play in the last minute.

Substitute David Thompson escaped the shackles down the left, cut in but saw his shot saved by goalkeeper Paul Harrison at the near post, before his second attempt was cleared.

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