Monmouth's title credentials were dealt a double blow over the festive period as they lost back-to-back games in the Welsh League.

On 28th December, in one of the few games to survive the weather, Monmouth Town failed to move into third place in the Welsh League, losing their home fixture against fifth-placed Aberdare Town 3-1.

In front of the largest crowd of the season so far, the Kingfishers had a dream start with a fine move finished by Elliot Evans after good work down the left from Sam Palmer.

Town, missing striker Dan MacDonald and one of the stars of the season so far Adam Davies through suspensions, welcomed back Elliot Ford after serving his own three-match ban.

His joy at his return was short lived as he came off second best in a challenge with the 'keeper and was replaced by Safian Skupinski after just 22 minutes.

Five minutes later things went from bad to worse for the Kingfishers as Clare failed to deal with a high ball, allowing Small in for a chance which was snuffed out unfairly by Ben Evans.

Penalty, red card, equaliser was the predictable outcome and suddenly high flying Town were on the back foot.

Sam Palmer was sacrificed for Jacob Guy to shore up the defence and a point at this stage would have been a good return.

Town, sponsored by WyeMedia and Raduni Restaurant,  emerged for the second half in better shape having gathered their senses and some good passing moves created some decent openings.

Harrhy had the ball in the back of the net after a good header across goal from Clare but the assistant referee ruled it out for offside – harshly as it appeared.

But Aberdare were not to be denied and a good move down their right was finished superbly by Small to make it 2-1.

It was perhaps inevitable that in having to chase the game Monmouth conceded a late third.

Town boss Steve Jenkins said: "We didn't do enough to win the game and I thought we were poor in the first half.

"But over the first half of the season the lads have done really well and that's what we can take away with us."

On Saturday 4th January, Monmouth were comprehensively beaten by Penybont on the new super club's £500,000 3G pitch facility.

Town had travelled looking to put the previous week's defeat behind them and reassert themselves as serious challengers for the Welsh League crown and welcomed back Adam Davies and Dan MacDonald but were missing the suspended Ben Evans and Elliot Ford, whose injury could possibly have ruled him out for the rest of the season.

And they started brightly enough, having most of the possession for the first 10 minutes, passing it around well and getting in some good positions.

Then came a 10-minute spell they would want to forget as first Rawlings tucked away a cross from the right after Sam Palmer had been sent flying, fairly, according to the referee.

Dan Clare missed a tackle to concede a penalty converted by Hood and on 20 minutes Budd had stooped to head home a corner. At 3-0 down after 20 minutes Town were looking to avoid embarrassment as their best hope for the afternoon.

They did claw their way back into the game or at least made a fist of it but seemed to lack the fight to go with their obvious talent.

The home side had no such qualms and continued to work hard to unsettle the Kingfishers team who had arrived with a better reputation.

Jones was made to pay for a bit too much endeavour with a red card but Monmouth didn't take advantage and Penybont kept taking the game to the visitors with Rawlings and Walters exceptional for the home team.

As the clock ticked away the final 20 minutes offered up some more excitement as first Blackburn upended Rawlings and Hood converted his second spot kick before Harrhy and MacDonald pulled a couple back for Town to make it 4-2 and a little bit interesting.

Harrhy was also bundled over in the penalty area but the appeals again fell on deaf ears and Town boss Jenkins managed to get himself sent from the dugout after a bureaucratic mix up had earned Guy a yellow card.

For all the baffling decisions, Town were well beaten on the day and will need to be much better as they welcome unbeaten title favourites Haverfordwest County to the Sports Ground this Saturday (kick off 2pm).