THE New Saints were forced to settle for a draw with Bala Town for the second time this season after throwing away a two-goal lead at Maes Tegid.

After a shaky opening in which the Lakesiders threatened, Matty Williams put the Saints in front after 22 minutes with a superbly-struck volley from the edge of the box after a Craig Jones cross was only partially cleared by the home defence.
A Simon Spender cross provided the opening for Greg Draper to head the second from a tight angle beyond the grasp of keeper Terry McCormick and Nicky Ward should have added a third before the break, firing wide from a good position.
That miss, and the replacemert of the injured Draper during the break, eventually proved costly as two goals inside three minutes earned the Lakesiders the point.
Wingman Steven Brown's shot was deflected past keeper Paul Harrison by the outstretched leg of Steve Evans, who was then adjudged to have fouled Lee Hunt on the edge of the area, and Mark Jones powered his free-kick into the far corner off the defensive wall.
But only a smart double save by McCormick from first Alex Darlington and then Williams denied TNS all three points.
Photo: Greg Draper watches his header find the net for the second TNS goal.