NEWI Cefn Druids took a massive step towards securing their Welsh Premier League safety on Friday night as they produced a second-half super-show to hammer Gap Connah’s Quay 6-0.

The Plaskynaston Lane clash was goalless at the break but the in-form Ancients never looked back after Jon Rush broke the deadlock three minutes after the restart.

Andy Alston then missed the chance to level for the freefalling visitors and they were made to pay in the 56th minute when Rush played in Kevin Holsgrove to double the home side’s advantage. Two became three 10 minutes later when Ricky Evans drilled in a 25-yard free kick before Lee T Jones repeated the trick 12 minutes from time as his free kick from the left crept in.

Holsgrove netted his second in the 85th minute before teenage substitute Michael Taylor, with his first touch on his first-team debut, volleyed in number six in injury-time.

Druids, who hosted Bangor City on Tuesday night in a match played after the Chronicle went to press, make the long trip to high-flying Carmarthen Town on Saturday (2.30pm).

A second-half brace from Nick Santangeli earned Lex XI a 2-1 victory at Buckley Town in the Cymru Alliance on Friday night. But Gresford Athletic went down 2-0 at fellow strugglers Penrhyncoch.

Gresford are away to Ruthin Town on Saturday while Lex head to Penrhyncoch (both 2.30pm).