The New Saints leave it late in Welsh Cup
Williams strikes late on to secure a place in the next round
Dan Williams grabbed a late winner to send The New Saints through to the third round of the FAW Welsh Cup with a hard-earned 2-1 victory at Airbus UK Broughton.
Cymru Premier leaders Saints, who have now won 13 games in a row in all competitions, were given an early lead in Friday night's all top-flight tie by Danny Davies.
Jordan Evans equalised for Airbus in the second half, but Saints had the final word with Williams scoring the decisive goal in the 88th minute.
"Obviously, the whole thing is to get through, isn't it," said TNS head coach Craig Harrison. "I'm sure ourselves and Airbus thought the draw was a bit harsh on both, getting an all Welsh Prem draw when there was so many other teams in it.
"I think the only other all Welsh Prem draw was Flint and Caernarfon, so, yes, we thought it was a bit harsh, certainly the early rounds of it.
"But, yes, we're pleased with the way we played, pleased to get the opportunity - I think we made eight changes from last week - and pleased to get lads who hadn't played minutes some well earned minutes because they've been training really hard.
"That's our 13th win in a row and it's hard to get yourself back in the team, so it was a good opportiunity to get minutes for boys who hadn't played, so really pleased for them."
Saints made a bright start, taking the lead in the 11th minute when defender Davies volleyed home a Ben Clark corner at the far post.
There were chances at both ends before Airbus, currently eighth in the Cymru Premier, pulled level after 66 minutes when a fine free kick from Evans from just outside the penalty area beat goalkeeper Jack Edwards.
Harrison's response was to turn to the bench and introduce Rhys Hughes, Dan Williams and Brad Young as substitutes, later followed by Rory Holden and Danny Redmond, as Saints pushed for a winning goal.
It arrived two minutes from time when Williams, the former Swansea City player, saw his shot take a slight deflection on its way in as Saints booked a place in round three.
TNS resume their league campaign with a home game against Ammanford at Park Hall on Friday night (7.45pm).
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