CAERNARFON moved out of the drop zone, but only after a controversial late penalty from substitute Michael Bird.

The striker's twice-taken 83rd-minute spot-kick condemned 10-man Nomads to a cruel defeat after they had looked certain to earn a point through substitute Stuart Rain.

After a chirpy start, the Canaries took an early lead when Gareth Davies was brought down by central defender George Horan, who was sent off.

Lee Jones converted the spot kick, but a reshuffled Nomads' pack responded well, with Tommy Muttom bringing the best out of keeper David Walsh.

The former Wrexham stopper also did well to palm away a curling free kick from Andy Griffiths as 10-man Quay began to dominate.

A flurry of second half corners after the break ended with Chris Williams clearing off the Nomads line from Jones, but the home side were on level terms after 68 minutes when Rain made a quick impact from the bench, turning for a trademark finish.

The game seemed to be heading for a draw until referee Jones awarded the visitors their second penalty of the night when Williams impeded Aaron Thomas in the area.

Craig Bryan saved Bird's kick only for the officials to order it to be retaken as the keeper was adjudged to be off his line and Bird made no mistake.

Martin Chalk then lost his cool by kicking the ball away in the dying moments, but the Canaries were delighted with the much-needed points.

Match report courtesy of welsh-premier.com