The New Saints are forced to settle for point against Bala Town on their return to action

Saints had not played a league match since December 19, with all league fixtures then suspended because of Covid-19 restrictions, but, having had its elite status reinstated, the JD Cymru Premier has now resumed.

Scott Ruscoe’s table-toppers created some good chances against third-placed Bala, but were unable to find a way through during Saturday’s clash at Park Hall.

Saints are now just one point clear of second-placed Connah’s Quay Nomads – who beat Newtown 2-1 earlier on Saturday – and also have a game in hand on the leaders.

TNS pushed for an early breakthrough, with Bala’s Alex Ramsay the busier of the two goalkeepers, as he produced saves to deny Leo Smith and Danny Redmond.

Simon Spender then had the ball in the net for the home side, but an offside flag ruled out the effort.

Saints handed a debut to striker Adam Roscrow, their January signing from League One club AFC Wimbledon, and he fired a shot over the crossbar, before Spender forced another save from Ramsay.

Bala’s Raul Correia tested TNS goalkeeper Paul Harrison at the other end.

Saints continued to create chances in the second half, with Adrian Cieslewicz’s effort just over, before Bala’s top goalscorer Chris Venables went close for the visitors with a header just wide from a free kick.

Ramsay ensured Bala headed home with a point with an excellent late save when he instinctively turned Cieslewicz’s header from a corner over the crossbar.

Saints are next in action when they travel to sixth-placed Haverfordwest County on Saturday.

TNS: Harrison, Spender, Hudson, Astles, Marriott, Smith (Clark), Routledge, Redmond (Ebbe), Robles (Mullan), Roscrow, Cieslewicz. Subs not used: Davies, Canavan, Williams.