Cwmbran 0 TNS 4

SLOPPY Cwmbran slid to their fifth defeat in their last seven League of Wales games, yet amazingly remain in contention to secure an Intertoto Cup place.

Defender John Wile was the main culprit, a trio of costly errors by him directly leading to TNS' first three goals in a nine-minute, first-half spell.

He, like winger Nathan Cotterrall and midfielder Anthony Wright, making his comeback following a seven-game absence through injury, were replaced at the interval.

However, striker Mattie Davies, himself returning after an eight-match enforced break, utility player Sean Mainwaring and defender Adam Moore made little impression on a TNS side which could yet deny Bangor City the runners-up spot.

The one thing Cwmbran are consistent at is giving away soft goals and they didn't change that when it came to the fourth.

A cross by striker Steve Antrobus looked likely to go out for a goal kick, until Nicky Ward chased a lost cause before crossing for fellow-substitute, Jodie Jenkins, to side-foot home from close range.

It was not lost on Cwmbran fans that Jenkins, complete with dyed green hair, was the Gwent side's top league goalscorer last season, although in the club's defence he is now playing full-time football.

Cwmbran have three games remaining, against Afan Lido at Cardiff's Leckwith Stadium tomorrow night, Port Talbot Town probably at the same venue on Thursday, and at Caernarfon Town on Saturday.

Three victories will give Cwmbran 60 points while the totals their rivals for an Intertoto Cup place, Rhyl, Caersws, Lido and Connah's Quay Nomads, can muster is 59, 58, 58 and 59.

This Cwmbran team could produce the club's worst playing record in the league's ten-year history.

On three previous occasions the club managed to total just 57 points in a season while it has twice lost 13 games in a campaign. Currently Cwmbran are stuck on 51 points and have suffered 12 defeats.

Cwmbran Town: P O'Hagan, R Shugar, J Wile (A Moore 46), P James, J Welsh, R David, N Wigg (c), A Wright (M Davies 46), R Griffiths, M Dunn, N Cotterrall (S Mainwaring 46).

Booked: Wile (26 foul), Cotterrall (33 foul).

T.N.S: G Doherty, D Ward, R Wood, T Alexander, C Taylor (c), S Evans, S Ruscoe, J Leah (J Jenkins 75), J Perry (N Ward 55), S Antrobus, D Bridgewater (R Evans 79).

Booked: Antrobus (76 foul). Goals: Antrobus (22), Bridgewater (27), Leah (31), Jenkins (82).

* In the picture: Cwmbran Town's Nathan Wigg, right, takes on Justin Perry of TNS.