A GOAL from Tommy Mutton strengthened the Nomads' grip on fourth place to maintain their push for a first-ever place in Europe.

But despite a high-tempo start to the game against the Druids, who were playing their first match for three weeks, it was 28 minutes before the first goal arrived. Adam Dickinson chased down Craig Hutchinson's pass to force a mistake from defender James Taylor and the ball fell to Mutton who smashed past keeper Carl Edwards from close range.

Mutton should have doubled his tally before the break when he intercepted a weak back-header from Ricky Wright, but he fired wide of the post.

The Ancients had more of the game in the second half but it was the hosts who always looked more likely to score with Paul Carvill forcing a good save from Edwards and Chris Williams seeing his header cleared off the line.

Hutchinson should have put the result beyond doubt late on after being played in by Dickinson, but could only shoot straight at Edwards.

Report and stats courtesy of welsh-premier.com