A SECOND-half hat-trick from Alex Darlington ensured The New Saints returned to the top of the Welsh Premier League on New Year's Day.

Massive efforts over two days to clear snow and ice from the Park Hall pitch ensured the game went ahead and Craig Williams soon had the Saints in the lead, crashing a superb shot from the edge of the box after being fed by Darlington on eight minutes.
But, although Williams twice hit the post after the break, TNS struggled to extend their lead until a double substitution on 66 minutes brought on Chris Seargeant and Jamie Wood, whose first touch almost led to a second goal.
It was Wood's persistence to keep the ball in play that enabled Chris Marriott to then cross for Darlington to score, before Seargeant won the ball in the box for the ex-Wrexham man to add his second.
And it was Wood who laid on the hat-trick goal five minutes from time to ensure the Saints were adequately rewarded for their overall domination.
Photo: Alex Darlington and Jamie Wood celebrate the second goal.