Newtown 1 Connah’s Quay Nomads 2

NEWTOWN tasted a bitter Boxing Day defeat as Connah’s Quay Nomads stole a march on the race for second place.

All the goals came in a frantic final 10 minutes as the Robins fell agonisingly short against the Flint visitors.

Top scorer Aaron Williams missed out for the Robins who were boosted by the return of Jason Oswell to their forward line

A bad tempered start at Latham Park saw visiting manager Neil Gibson booked before Ryan Harrington and Jack Kenny also earned cautions as referee Huw Jones reminded the Flint visitors he was not quite done delivering cards over the festive season.

The Nomads did all the pressing in the first-half with Jordan Davies drilling wide before steering Harry Franklin's right wing cross over.

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County Times: Action from Newtown's clash with Connah's Quay Nomads. Picture by Dave Evans.Action from Newtown's clash with Connah's Quay Nomads. Picture by Dave Evans.

The second-half was a much more even affair with the Robins getting into the game.

Rob Evans blasted over the bar from the edge of the area after good work by Ryan Sears shortly before the hour.

Nomads left with 12 minutes remaining when a left wing cross from Ryan Harrington was deflected off George Hughes into the path of Callum Morris to tap home from close range.

It was all over five minutes later when a long ball from Harrington freed Davies to slot home.

Newtown did not surrender and were rewarded with a late consolation as Sears headed home Callum Roberts' left wing cross.

Newtown: Wycherley, Roberts, Sears, Sutton, Evans (Ismael 87), Oswell, Robles, Cowans, Jones (Boayke 90), Hughes, Smith. Subs: Ussher, Mills-Evans, Sharp, Hartley, Taylor.

Nomads: Firth, Disney, Harrington, Morris, Davies, Franklin (Roberts 90), N Edwards (J Williams 82), Nash, Kenny (Wilde 68), Poole, K Edwards. Subs: Rushton, A Williams, Burman Sumner