A FIRST half super strike by Bala’s Mark Connolly settled this first v second clash at Bastion Gardens on Saturday.
But Neil Gibson’s Seasiders were never out of the game and more than deserved a draw against a defensively solid Bala outfit.
The Lakesiders have spent heavily during the summer in their quest for European football and extended their lead at the top following this win but many of their big guns failed to fire as Town matched them blow for blow for long periods.
Ross Stephens had an early chance on nine minutes, his clipped strike forcing a smart save from Terry McCormick then on the half hour Michael Parker got in between John Irving and Stef Edwards to shoot but again McCormick got down well to save.
Then came Connolly’s strike - a yard inside the Town half, the former Rhyl man spotted Dave Roberts off his line and using the stiff breeze to his advantage, lofted the ball forwards and over the head of the stunned Town keeper.
Mark Jones could have added a second shortly after but Mark Jones’ rising drive sailed over the crossbar to safety.
On the second half display alone, Town were worthy of a point as they bossed the possession and carved out some good chances but found that final touch in front of goal elusive.
Parker had a potentially good call for a penalty turned down on the hour mark after he was bundled over in the box while Jon Fisher Cooke and Steve Rogers toiled hard but could not find a way through a Bala rearguard well marshalled by Irving, Stuart Jones and centre-half Mike Byron.
Town are still comfortably placed in fourth and now face two winnable away games at Port Talbot on Sunday (18) and Aberystwyth (Sunday 25) before a testing live TV home game with Llanelli on Saturday October 1 (3.45pm).
This Friday (16) Town’s reserves are at home to Llandudno Junction in the Premier Reserve League, kick off 7.30pm.