| Eagles hit back for important win |
| Saturday 04 February 2012 |
 NEATH won the battle of the full-timers as they staked a claim in the title race by beating The New Saints 2-1 at Park Hall. A much-better organised Eagles' side than the one that lost 3-0 in Oswestry in September were able to hold the Saints at bay in the first half, with only Greg Draper threatening. The striker had one shot deflected just wide, before sending a lob just over the bar from Alex Darlington's lay-off. Neath's only chance of the opening stanza fell to Craig Hughes, who brought a good save from home keeper Paul Harrison. Despite a more expansive opening to the second half from the visitors, the Saints took the lead in the 52nd-minute when keeper Lee Kendall was unable to hold Chris Seargeant's cross from the byline and Draper scored from close range. But the lead lasted only five minutes before a blunder from Steve Evans gifted the equaliser. The defender's weak clearance was seized on by Lee Trundle who took the ball to the left edge of the box before firing into the far corner. The winner arrived shortly afterwards when Jack Lewis shot from a narrow angle and found the net via a defender's deflection. It could have been worse for TNS but for keeper Harrison, who pulled-off a superb diving save from a Chris Jones penalty after Phil Baker was adjudged to have brought down Hughes. And, despite stoppage time efforts from Luke Holden and Darlington, Kris O'Leary's side extended their unbeaten run to 12 matches to close the gap on TNS to just three points. Photo: Greg Draper celebrates after giving The New Saints the lead. |