THE New Saints claimed their first away win of the season to close the gap on Welsh Premier leaders Bangor City to 10 points.

But they were grateful for a first-half Matty Williams hat-trick as a forgettable second-half performance almost allowed Bala Town to snatch a point.
Williams scored his first after eight minutes with a 12-yarder when Chris Sharp nodded back a Tommy Holmes cross and added his second when the home defence failed to clear a left-wing cross.
But the hosts hit back when Shaun Kelly played a one-two before firing a 25-yarder beyond Paul Harrison's reach into the corner.
Chris Sharp celebrated his return to the ranks by restoring the two-goal cushion within minutes with a cool finish from a Richie Partridge cross, but the Lakesiders missed their chance to reply when John Irving sent a penalty well wide of the target after Barry Hogan was adjudged to have handled.
When Sharp then provided for Williams to round off his hat-trick just before half-time, the result looked done and dusted.

But, after Sharp had only been denied another by the goal line mud, the hosts went on to dominate much of the second-half.
TNS lost their shape after Williams was forced-off with an injury and only some wayward shooting prevented Bala reducing the arrears.
Sub Josh Maauley finally pulled a goal back with a far post header from John Irving's byline cross and had Chris Mason's shot not hit a post and rebounded into the arms of grateful keeper Harrison, a grandstand finish could have been on the cards.
As it was, Macauley only grabbed Bala's third from a spot kick deep into stoppage time, after Harrison had hauled down Kelly, and the Saints were grateful to head home with all three points.
Photo: Hat-trick hero Matty Williams scores his second goal.