Aberbargoed Buds 2 Monmouth Town 1

Monmouth Town's relegation fears deepened losing a classic six pointer against a game Aberbargoed on a freezing afternoon in the Gwent Valleys.

And yet the Kingfishers started brightly and for 25 minutes looked the most likely to score. Bowen opened the scoring finishing smartly from a great McCoy through ball and stand in captain Alderdice and debutant Ford looking comfortable in midfield.

As half time approached the Town had reason to be confident having successfully kept the home team at bay until a corner was turned back inside and in for the equaliser. A minute later Roberts conceded a penalty which was blasted over by the home skipper.

The reprieve was short lived however as The Buds started much the better in the second half and although having most of the possession struggled to find the killer touch.

It was finally provided when Town failed to clear their lines and Roberts was exposed dropping the ball to the feet of a grateful Buds striker.

Barry Burns, standing in for Andy Beattie remained upbeat despite the scoreline which leaves the Kingfishers firmly rooted in the relegation zone

"We've worked on our set up for three weeks and we started really well, The defence was superb particularly Kennedy, Davies and Spence and Ford did everything that was asked of him given it was his first start. For the first half hour I couldn't see us losing the game. If anything we lacked quality clearing our lines in the second half and we looked a bit tired. It was probably the youngest side we've ever sent out so there are some positives we can take from the game.

"Our discipline was much better and we at least tried to stick to what we wanted to do. The important thing is to keep doing the right things and we'll be fine".

Next Saturday Town are at home to high flying newcomers AFC Porth (kick off 2pm).