Newi Cefn Druids 2 The New Saints 3

THE champagne flowed as The New Saints secured their third successive title with victory at sun-drenched Plaskynaston.

Having wobbled with two defeats in the past week, the defending champions showed plenty of resolve to twice come from behind before taking the spoils when substitute John Leah drove home an 18-yard winner five minutes from time.

Manager Ken McKenna hailed his team’s achievements following a tense afternoon against a committed Druids outfit keen to gatecrash the party.

“To win the title three times in a row takes some doing,” he said. “We showed a lot of character today after twice going behind. I’m really proud of the lads, they deserve a lot of credit.”

The Saints were stunned in the 13th minute when Lee Jones lobbed Ged Doherty from 25 yards after a long clearance from keeper Carl Edwards had glanced off the head of defender Michael Jackson.

But they hit back just five minutes later when a short free-kick along the left saw Chris King’s cross flicked on by Alfie Carter and Greg Stones steered home a first-time volley.

The hosts restored their lead when Osian Jones’ 36th minute free-kick from the left corner of the box squeezed past Doherty, but TNS got back on terms again as Carter glanced the ball into the net from close range.

Carter and Wilde were both narrowly off target for the visitors, but the Saints kept plugging away.

They earned their reward five minutes from time when Leah linked well with Scott Ruscoe before drilling a low shot past Edwards from the edge of the box.