Connah’s Quay returned to the top of the JD Welsh Premier League with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Newtown.
 
The Nomads move a point clear of title rivals The New Saints and Barry Town after a second half penalty cancelled out their early lead.
 
Ex-Nomads striker Nick Rushton levelled for the Robins to deny his former side all three points.
 
Declan Poole got Connah’s Quay off to the best possible start when his low finish capped off a sweeping move to give Connah’s Quay a third-minute lead.
 
With an hour gone, Luke Boundford struck against the Nomads’ post and moments later, referee Bryn Markham-Jones pointed to the spot after young winger Joe Kenton was brought down inside the area admidsts protests from the away side.
 
Rushton fired level with 62 minutes on the clock to earn Newtown a share of the spoils with Nomads full-back Danny Holmes shown a straight red card for dissent as the protests continued.
 
Connah’s Quay now set their sights on Saturday’s Nathaniel-MG Cup semi-final tie with Cardiff Met, with no WPL fixtures scheduled for this weekend.

Newtown AFC 1 Nick Rushton 62′(p)
Connah’s Quay Nomads 1 Declan Poole 2′

Newtown AFC
1. Dave Jones, 19. T.Craig Williams, 3. Callum Roberts, 4. Ben Bailey, 5. Kieran Mills-Evans, 6. Jay Denny, 23. Alex Fletcher, 9. Luke Boundford (14. Ethan Jones 87′), 8. Nick Rushton, 11. Joe Kenton (10. Steve Leslie 76′), 7. Neil Mitchell Subs not used: 13. Jack Perry (gk), 17. Sam Phillips, 24. Jake Cook, 25. Will Evans

Red Cards: None
Yellow Cards: Roberts 45′ Mitchell 59′ Williams 75′

Connah’s Quay Nomads
1. John Danby, 2. John Disney, 15. Danny Holmes, 17. Michael Parker, 3. Laurence Wilson, 12. Declan Poole (4. Jonny Spittle 67′), 6. Danny Harrison, 16. James Owen, 8. Callum Morris, 21. Rob Hughes (7. Ryan Wignall 82′), 14. Jack Kenny (22. Michael Bakare 90’+2) Subs not used: 11. Nathan Woolfe, 28. Jon Rushton (gk)

Red Cards: Holmes 63′
Yellow Cards: Kenny 28′ Poole 57′ Morris 62′ Hughes 64′ Owen 66′

Attendance: 210 Referee: Bryn Markham-Jones