Carmarthen Town 0 Bala Town 1
Carmarthen Town’s winless run in the JD Welsh Premier League was extended to seven matches after Jordan Evans’ well-struck effort piled the pressure on the league’s basement side.
Man of the Match Evans unleashed a swerving left-footed drive that dipped past Lee Idzi shortly before half-time to give Bala Town a third straight win.
Carmarthen’s only victory this season came in a shock 4-0 win at the expense of Bala six weeks ago but the OId Gold’s form has deteriorated since.
Luke Cummings’ superb last ditch challenge denied Bala before Stuart Jones headed against Carmarthen’s crossbar.
Kostya Georgievsky spurned Carmarthen’s best opportunity when he flashed a header wide from just two yards.
Bala’s Ian Sheridan should’ve doubled the visitors lead after the break but fired wide after Chris Venables unselfishly threaded the ball across goal.
Carmarthen introduced target-man Liam Griffiths but they were left frustrated in their efforts to find a late equaliser as Bala’s defence held firm.
“It’s a tough place to come but the lads have done well. We haven’t defended as well as we should’ve this season but we defended really well today – it’s a great result for us and we keep going on,” Bala manager Colin Caton told Sgorio after the game.
Mark Aizelwood’s side remain bottom of the table, five points adrift, after their closest rivals Aberystwyth rallied to a vital 2-1 win against Prestatyn Town.
The New Saints saw off second-placed Cardiff Met with a 2-1 win to forge a four-point lead at the summit.
Barry Town entertain third-placed Connah’s Quay on Sunday at Jenner Park.
Carmarthen Town
1. Lee Idzi, 2. Luke Cummings, 6. Lee Surman, 4. Dave Vincent, 3. Jordan Knott, 5. Craig Hanford (17. Liam Griffiths 89′), 23. Kyle Bassett (11. Kyle Williams 83′), 14. Ceri Morgan, 25. Kieran Lewis, 9. Kostya Georgievsky, 18. Liam Thomas
Subs not used: 7. Liam Walsh, 12. Daniel Sheehan, 20. Danny Thomas
Red Cards: None
Yellow Cards: Lewis 38′ Bassett 56′ Morgan 73′
Bala Town
1. Ashley Morris, 29. Lee Owens, 18. Jordan Evans, 5. Stuart J Jones, 4. Stuart Jones, 17. Glenn Rule, 25. Chris Venables, 8. Nathan Burke, 10. Ian Sheridan, 9. Mike Hayes (7. Andrai Jones 78′), 12. Les Davies
Subs not used: 23. Craig Vernon (gk), 11. Evan Horwood, 2. Ryan Valentine
Red Cards: None
Yellow Cards: Venables 34′ Rule 38′
Attendance: 207 Referee: Rob Jenkins
Results: Bangor City 0-1 Cefn Druids, Llandudno 2-1 Newtown, Prestatyn 1-2 Aberystwyth, TNS 2-1 Cardiff Met, Carmarthen 0-1 Bala Town, Barry Town v Connah’s Quay (Sun).