The New Saints FC 2 Haverfordwest 1
THE New Saints kept up the pressure on the pacesetters but had a few anxious moments late on after being reduced to 10 men.
Despite dominating much of the play, the second half dismissal of striker Mike Wilde and an own goal from keeper Ged Doherty ensured Haverfordwest stayed in the hunt.
Saints finally made the breakthrough on the hour when Martyn Naylor's cross from the right took a deflection into the net.
Naylor went close to a second goal just moments later when his free kick was saved by keeper Lee Kendall.
But the hosts were left to play the last 27 minutes with 10 men when Wilde was sent off for his second caution after kicking out at Ryan Durham.
Nevertheless, Saints gave themselves some breathing space in the 70th minute when Scott Ruscoe's low drive was parried by Kendall and Alfie Carter converted the rebound.
But a gaffe by Doherty 10 minutes from time ensured it would be a tense finish with the keeper fumbling Chris O'Sullivan's low corner from the right at the near post.
The visitors sensed they could salvage the game, but a cross from substitute Bobby Briers flashed across goal and Jack Christopher also failed to caplitalise eight yards out.
TNS went close to a third late on when Carter fired narrowly over the bar after breaking clear, but the margin of victory was closer than it should have been.
