JD Cymru Premier: The New Saints 3–2 Haverfordwest County

They were moments away from a creditable point, but Haverfordwest County were beaten late on by leaders The New Saints in an enthralling JD Cymru Premier clash tonight.

The Bluebirds led through another goal from Jack Wilson, before Ben Clark headed the hosts level before half time.

A Danny Williams penalty put Wayne Jones’ side back in front in the second period, but then a Sean Pemberton own goal and a last gasp winner from Blaine Hudson settled matters.

And yet it started so well for Haverfordwest.

Wilson, one of the stand-out performers for the Bluebirds this season, has delved between starting and being used as an impact sub – but began up front today alongside Danny Williams and new loan signing Mark Jones.

And sure enough, 11 minutes in the former Hakin man delivered again, latching onto Corey Shepard’s through ball and placing a low left foot shot across home keeper Paul Harrison and into the bottom corner.

The league leaders responded though, and Leo Smith had a shot blocked in the area before blasting the rebound inches over the bar.

Louis Robles then had a shot deflected wide from close range but at the other end the Bluebirds looked threatening on the break, with Wilson having an effort well blocked by Ryan Astles.

On the half hour mark though, the home side levelled as Robles crossed to the back post – and Clark planted a header past Matthew Turner.

It was the visitors who then fashioned the better openings before half time though – Kieran Lewis striking a low 20 yard shot wide before Danny Williams’ shot was saved by Harrison and after turning in the rebound, Ricky Watts was flagged offside.

The away side continued to match The New Saints after half time with Lewis having a curled effort tipped away from the top corner by Harrison.

At the other end Leo Smith curled a free kick over the bar but then 52 minutes in, the Bluebirds led again.

Lewis was tripped by Ryan Astles in the area, and Danny Williams made no mistake with the penalty.

Inevitably, the home side then pressed and Adrian Cieslewicz fired narrowly wide, before another Clark header was cleared off the line by Dan Summefield.

And just after the hour mark the scores were level, an Astles free kick seeing Sean Pemberston head into his own net under pressure from Blaine Hudson.

Man of the match Wilson continued to threaten as his left footed shot was tipped over by Harrison, but in the closing stages the pressure came at the other end.

Dean Ebbe was denied by the onrushing Turner from point blank range but then in the first minute of added time, the keeper spilt a low cross which Hudson tapped in from close range.

It meant an agonizing defeat for Haverfordwest, but one they can take a lot of heart from ahead of their home game with Bala Town next Saturday.

Haverfordwest County: Matthew Turner, Dan Summerfield, Sean Pemberton (capt), Alaric Jones, Ricky Watts, Cory Shephard, Jack Wilson, Elliot Scotcher, Kieran Lewis, Danny Williams, Mark Jones. Subs: Josh Le-Grice, Ben Fawcett, Marcus Griffiths, Jack Britton, Trystan Jones.