Hay St Mary's sink title rivals

It was the visiting Stags who made the brighter start to this top-of-the-table clash, despite missing a number of players, including goalkeeper Declan Gaydon and midfielders Owain Powell-Jones and Kyran Dillan.

Former Kington Town keeper Tom Lewis was forced to make an important save to deny Tomos Morgan in the third minute when the Brecon FC forward was played through on goal.

Hay St Mary's responded after 15 minutes when Ewan Peel made a smart save to deny Dave Thomas after Ricky Lynes cut inside from the left flank and picked put his strike partner.

Jack Cook struck a low shot straight at Peel from the edge of the penalty area five minutes later.

The Saints broke the deadlock after 22 minutes when Thomas finished past Peel in a goalmouth melee.

Brecon looked to respond and Curtis Williams went close with an overhead kick before Morgan struck a 20-yard free-kick straight into the grateful hands of Lewis.

Thomas completed his brace after 29 minutes when he flicked-up the ball on the edge of the penalty area and sent a dipping volley inside the far post to the delight of his team-mates.

Lewis had to be alert within four minutes of the restart to use his legs to deny Morgan when the Stags forward broke free on goal.

Hay St Mary's added a third goal to their tally three when Lynes latched on to a Charlie Ward pass that beat the Stags backline before maintaining his composure to slide the ball past Peel.

The Saints extended their lead four minutes after the break when Lynes' penalty was saved by Peel, but the forward was alert enough to turn home the rebound.

Hay St Mary's went close to increasing their advantage further within 60 seconds of the restart, but Ward directed his header wide from a corner.

The league's top scorer Thomas completed his hat-trick in the 53rd minute after Peel spilt a through ball and he eventually forced the loose ball over the line.

Lynes broke into the Brecon penalty area three minutes after the resumption, but was unable to keep his shot on target.

The Stags netted what turned out to be a consolation goal in the 59th minute when Curtis Williams beat Lewis with an overhead kick following a free-kick into the penalty area.

Hay St Mary's substitute Will Goodwin struck a low 65th-minute shot straight at Peel, prior to Tom Gardiner directing a drive wide of the target.

The Stags had an 80th-minute penalty appeal turned down by referee Paul Curtis when he judged a foul to have been committed just outside of the area.

However, the visitors were unable to take advantage of the set-piece with Owen Edwards directing his header wide of the far post.

The Saints managed to see out the final stages without conceding again, moving to the summit of the table after previous incumbents Talgarth Town were defeated, and knowing a maximum of 14 points are required from their final six matches to be crowned champions.