BALA manager Colin Caton was delighted with his team’s performance against The New Saints and with the level of fitness shown by the players which will carry them in good stead for Saturday’s trip to Cefn Druids and for the rest of the season.

The Lakesiders were good value for a point at the league leaders’ Park Hall ground on Saturday and could point to a strong penalty shout turned down when the ball struck Ryan Astles on the arm

He said: “I thought defensively we were really good. Ramsay made a couple of saves for us but they never penetrated behind us once. Everything was in front of us and I thought the lads did really well and as the game went on, in the last 10 to 15 minutes, I thought we had the better chances.

“We were growing and it looked as if we were going to get the winner. But on a whole, to go and get a point at TNS is a good point. Obviousy that’s the first point they’ve dropped there this season and to be the first team to get something there is a positive.”

He added: “We finished stronger and our fitness levels were good. They’ve been fortunate to have around six friendlies leading up to the game while we have only been able to have two in the days before, so we’ve been limited in what we’ve been able to do.

“But I’m proud of the lads, they are a good, honest group who look after themselves away from what we do with them here, which they’ve got to really.”

Players will be assessed during midweek training before Saturday’s trip to Cefn Druids with new signing Jack Mackreth, who was on the bench on Saturday, with a slight knee problem and Lassana Mendes and Kieran Smith recovering after hernia injuries

“It will be a difficult game,” said Caton. “We only scored in the last 30 seconds the winner against them at Maes Tegid.

“There are no easy games in the league and if we’re complacent we’ll get beat. But if we approach the game in the way we can do we’ll be ok. But complacency is a worry and it’s important that we don’t fall into the category of being lethargic.”