A THOROUGHLY bad-tempered affair ended with TNS duly booking their place in the Welsh Cup’s last four for the second year running.
But Afan Lido will rue the second-half indiscipline which saw them finish the game with nine men, ending their chance of forcing a result.
The south Walians had dominated the early exchanges and almost took the lead when Sacha Walters lobbed home keeper Gerard Doherty from 30 yards, only for the ball to bounce in front of goal and onto the crossbar.
Marc Lloyd-Williams and Mike Wilde twice combined to put TNS two-up by the break, but when Chris Piper scored from a Liam McCreesh cross on the hour, Lido were back in the contest.
But just minutes later, the Saints’ Martin Naylor appeared to be felled in the box, only for referee Lawlor to book the TNS wing back for diving.
In the ensuing melee, Carl Evans was sent off for a punch on Naylor and goalkeeper Brian Thomas followed him for foul and abusive language.
Stand in keeper Phil Holmes performed heroics, but could not prevent Jamie Wood from netting after Wilde’s shot hit the post, and Wilde himself completed the victory in the last minute.