TNS 2 Bala Town 0

Despite dominating much of the top-of-the table encounter, the defending champions had been frustrated for 69 minutes before Ryan Brobbel made the breakthrough with his first goal for the club.

Aeron Edwards then wrapped a fifth successive title, and a 10th in all, with a neat first-time strike 10 minutes later to spark more title celebrations for Craig Harrison's men.

Bala, who arrived in second spot and still in with a chance of catching the Saints, did their best to prove party-poopers despite finding themselves on the back foot for long periods.

Although Stuart Jones sent a first half header against the post, the Lakesiders for most part struggled to get a foothold on the game, with chances in short supply.

TNS, by contrast, enjoyed several promising positions, and eventually capitalised with two second half strikes to complete the second leg of a possible back-to-back treble.

With the Welsh Cup final to play early next month, few would bet against the league champions rewriting the record books yet again as they continue their relentless march towards silverware.

Despite a couple of setbacks in recent weeks, TNS were back to their impressive best against a resilient Bala side – and only some wasteful finishing denied them a more emphatic win.

Following a tight opening, the Saints began to assert their authority with the previous week's Welsh Cup hat-trick hero Scott Quigley again in the thick of the action after shaking off a calf strain.

Lively winger Jamie Mullan sounded a warning on 13 minutes when cutting across the edge of the box before rifling his shot over the bar.

Right back Simon Spender then lashed a shot across the goalmouth following another promising raid moments later as the league leaders started to provide an increasing threat.

But Bala – who had drawn their previous three meetings with TNS this season – were proving a well organised unit, strong in the tackle and affording the defending champions little room for manoeuvre.

Although they were feeding off scraps, Ian Sheridan launched one powerful run deep into the box, before being stopped by a timely challenge from Matty Williams.

And the visitors went close to taking the lead somewhat out of the blue in the 28th minute courtesy of some defensive hesitation from the hosts.

A harmless looking punt into a crowded box was met by a back header from the in-form Stuart Jones, the ball beating sprawling keeper Paul Harrison before hitting the left post.

It was then the Saints' turn to rattle the woodwork four minutes later when Edwards' 25-yard strike swerved over keeper Ashley Morris only to crash against the bar and they went on to life the title with skipper Paul Harrison and Phil Baker lifting the famous trophy at the final whistle as the champagne flowed,

Still looking for their first win against the Saints, the Lakesiders - who sportingly formed a guard of honour for the newly crowned champions - could take heart from taking the title race into the last few weeks of the season.

But they now face a fight to cling on to second spot after their lead was trimmed to two points from Llandudno who beat Newtown 3-2.