Haverfordwest 0 Welshpool Town 1

TEN-MAN Welshpool stayed in sight of European football with victory at Bridge Meadow on Saturday, courtesy of Steve Rogers’ stunning free-kick.

The Lilywhites were made to battle all the way, having midfielder Richard Harris sent off on 67 minutes for dissent.

But they stuck to their task, and Rogers provided the game’s decisive moment when crashing a superb free kick into the top right-hand corner with 15 minutes remaining.

Manager Tommi Morgan said the performance again underlined his side’s resilience.

“When we went down to 10 men, I would have been happy with a point, so to come away with three is a real bonus, particularly with Connah’s Quay only drawing,” he said.

“It was a terrific strike to win the game.

“I spoke to their keeper Lee Kendall after the game and he said he did not see it as it flew in. We huffed and puffed, but if you work hard, then things tend to go for you.”

Pool looked a threat going forward with Calvin Davies and Geraint Windsor both off target while Brett Jefferies saw a deflected volley turned away by the diving Kendall.

Haverfordwest also had their moments with Tim Hicks heading over, while Wayne Jones and Lee Hudgell were both denied in a scramble.

With Pool down to 10 men, Hicks had a header ruled out for offside, before Rogers planted his free kick into the net for a precious win.

Victory, their first in four outings on their travels to West Wales, took Pool’s haul to 20 points from their last eight matches and keeps them well on course for European qualification for the first time in the club’s history.