THE two main contenders for the third European slot failed to score on a blustery afternoon at Maesydre, but Welshpool will be the happier after maintaining a five-point advantage over opponents Connah's Quay.

A keenly contested but scrappy affair saw few chances created and, after surviving a penalty scare amidst claims that Nomads' Tommy Mutton had been fouled, Welshpool had the better of the first half.

Top scorer Steve Rogers twice went close, firing a 20th-minute effort past the far post from a Richie Harris pass and seeing a header turned onto the post by keeper Paul Smith following Stuart Vernon's corner.

Nomads' Gary Pinch headed wide after the break from a Paul Carvill corner, Chris Melia fired wide and Chris Williams sent his effort over the bar as a goal looked increasingly unlikely.

Report and stats courtesy of welsh-premier.com