TNS held in return game with Aberystwyth

TNS had swept aside the Seasiders 3-0 six days earlier in the Welsh Cup and looked well placed to complete a quickfire double at Park Hall.

They had led through Matty Williams' seventh-minute opener, but missed opportunities proved costly as Chris Venables earned parity for the visitors with a fine strike in the 72nd minute.

Despite maintaining their unbeaten campaign, it proved a frustrating game for the defending champions who failed to turn their dominance into goals as their lead at the top was trimmed to nine points.

Harrison admitted: "It did not happen for us, we did not show the same quality as we have done in the last three of four games.

"It was not for lack of effort and trying, the lads gave everything as they always do, but as a group we were a bit sloppy and not as fluent as we can be.

"But it's going to happen. We've to to be realistic as we can't expect to play well every week, even the best players in the world have off games.

"We had chances, but overall did not do enough to win the game. We were not as fluent as we can be.

"But the key is that, although we did not play well, we did not lose. We're still unbeaten this season and still in a fantastic position."

Williams gave the Saints the ideal start when tapping in an early rebound after Chris Seargeant's cross had been parried.

But goalkeeper Mike Lewis was in top form for the rest of the game to keep his side in the hunt as the hosts made the running

The Saints almost doubled their advantage when an inviting pass from Ryan Edwards released Jamie Mullan but his shot was deflected wide.

Aber, however, were proving a different proposition from their limp performance the week before, and posed more problems as they pressed higher up the pitch.

Rhys Griffiths was proving a threat for the steely visitors, the former Golden Boot winner missing a good chance when heading over from close range.

But it was TNS who looked the more threatening as Williams was denied a second when his powerful header was met by a terrific save from Lewis.

TNS continued in a similar vein after the break, and again went close to increasing their advantage as Adrian Cieslewicz's headed effort hit the post.

The woodwork was to again thwart the pacesetters moments later when Williams found space inside the box only to see his crisp shot rattle the bar.

Having gone so close to a second, the Saints were stunned with 18 minutes remaining, as the prolific Venables earned parity with a half-volley from just inside the box.

TNS were back on the attack as they looked for a winner, Williams forcing Lewis into a good save low down.

Mike Wilde headed wide from close range and fellow substitute Greg Draper also failed to find a way through late on.

Llandudno, in second place, made the most of TNS' slip to close the gap to nine points with a 4-2 win at Carmarthen Town.