A second clean sheet in succession, a fifth win on the road and Monmouth Town's Kingfishers saw off a concerted challenge by Risca United's Cuckoos to take second place in the Division.
Elliot Ford's second half goal slotted perfectly into the far corner following a ricocheted free kick was enough to take all three points in a deserved but hard fought victory.
Once again Town came out of the blocks faster and keener than their opponents, getting behind the hosts on a number of occasions but failing to make the most of promising situations and failing to take a number of chances. Andrew Gay, Risca's top scorer, also had to rue wasting a couple of opportunities when his experience should have given him better composure.
Matthew Bowen, Gwent's top scorer, was well marshalled but still got involved and tried to set up chances and play for his colleagues, but it all came to nought as the first half fizzled out goal-less with Williams doing well on a couple of occasion to snuff out danger.
The hosts upped the pace in the second half and started to get on top but Town still looked the team more likely on the break, with Ashley Ford, pictured here with Matthew Bowen, crashing a shot against the bar and other good openings going begging.
On 70 minutes they got the deserved breakthrough as Palmer's free kick hit the wall but broke to Ford who rifled his shot beyond Long in the Cuckoo's nets.