A HAT-trick from marksman Tommy Mutton ensured Connah's Quay took the honours in a game which could prove vital in the final shake-up for a European place.

But the Nomads had to come from behind after midfielder Paul Fowler had given Carmarthen a fourth-minute lead, blasting past home keeper Paul Smith.

The Old Gold applied plenty of early pressure, forcing several corners in quick succession, as they looked to build on their lead, but Mutton sparked the home comeback on 19 minutes when he headed a cross from debutant Paul Carvill wide of keeper Neil Thomas.

A blistering second-half show ensured the Nomads remained one point ahead of their opponents in the top five. Four minutes after the restart, Mutton was put clear by Dave Swanick to beat Thomas again, before skipper Marc Limbert weighed in to finish off a superb move and hammer a fierce drive into the roof of the net.

A 10th league goal of the campaign for Mutton ensured there was no way back for the visitors when he finished clinically from Chris Sargeant's pass, and he could have added to his tally along with Adam Dickinson and Limbert as Nev Powell's side ended in the ascendancy.

Report and stats courtesy of welsh-premier.com