WELSH PREMIER LEAGUE RHYL FC 2-1 THE NEW SAINTS Sat 18 April 2009 / Belle Vue

Early joy for the Saints as Alex Darlington celebrates his goal.

A HOWLER from Barry Hogan gifted what proved to be the winning goal as newly-crowned champions Rhyl ended the Saints' 16-match unbeaten run at a sun-drenched Belle Vue.
The defender's lofted back pass went straight to Marc Connolly in the 34th-minute for the simplest of chances to beat keeper Paul Harrison.
But TNS had dominated the opening stanza and took the lead after 13 minutes when a blocked effort from John Toner fell to Alex Darlington who beat Lee Kendall from close range.
In a much-improved performance from the 3-0 home defeat to the Lillies, the Saints had the hosts on the back foot until an inside pass from Craig Jones found Neil Roberts with time and space to steer his shot inside the near post.
Saints brought on Craig Whitfield and Duane Courtney at half-time and the second half proved to be a low key affair with the main amusement some verbal exchanges between keeper Kendall and the TNS contingent.
But ex-Saints' wingman Luke Holden nearly added to the home advantage when his drive from the left struck the crossbar and he was later denied by a smart save from Harrison.