THE New Saints were quick off the mark at Bastion Road, scoring twice inside the first 10 minutes to beat Prestatyn and claim three crucial points in the title race.
With five minutes gone, defender Danny Holmes weaved his way past two off his rivals inside the box before firing a close range shot past keeper Jon Hill-Dunt via the inside of the near post.
And Chris Sharp doubled the lead five minutes later, firing home from an Aeron Edwards squared pass.
But although Edwards crashed another effort against the woodwork, it wasn't all plain sailing for the Saints.
The Seasiders upped their game after the break, with Kai Edwards firing over and Mike Parker shooting wide of the far post.
At the other end, keeper Hill-Dunt made a superb fingertip save to deny Sharp, who then hit the post from 20 yards with sub Jamie Wood unable to profit from the rebound.
Home player/boss Neil Gibson saw his shot hit the far upright and sub Ross Stephens shot from the rebound straight at Paul Harrison.
A quickly-taken free-kick late in the game saw Harrison save well at the feet of Parker before Gibson missed a gaping goalmouth.
Photo: Danny Holmes celebrates his fifth-minute goal.