Saturday proved a frustrating afternoon for the Kingfishers who despite looking the better team for much of the game missed an early penalty and were beaten by a single first half goal.

A depleted Monmouth squad resulted in retired winger Elliott Ford, brother of captain Ash, start in goal for the visitors with all four club keepers either suspended, injured or unavailable.

The Kingfishers looked dangerous going forward early on and pushed Tredegar back.

But as has been the story of the season, despite plenty of possession, no end result has cost them, with only 40 goals scored in the league in 24 games, the lowest amount of any club in the top nine.

In the 17th minute the referee saw a Tredegar handball in the box, but Josh Maksimovic scuffed his spot kick which was easily saved by the keeper to keep it at 0-0.

Then in the 24th minute a ball out of the back by Ford found Mitch Palmer who had dropped deep to receive, only to turn into danger and present Tredegar striker Arran Elias with the chance to slot the ball past the Kingfishers keeper to make it 1-0 against the run of play.

From that point, with a bench that didn’t have any attacking options it was always going to be hard to make a difference and force the equaliser, especially as the home team were in no rush to keep the game flowing.

A strike 10 minutes from time by Palmer saw his shot smash off the crossbar and away to safety with the keeper beaten, and that was as good as it got for the away team, as they lost a game they felt they should have won.

The result keeps them in sixth and unlikely to break into the top four now, although they have two mouth-watering local derbies in seven days against table toppers Abergavenny Town, starting with an away trip last night followed by the home clash next Tuesday (April 19), kick-off 6.45pm.

Manager Scott Russell said of Saturday’s loss: “It’s frustrating as it’s another mistake that has cost us a goal.

“It’s something that has cost us a lot this season and the players need to manage games better at key points.

“We had chances but again didn’t take them, and although we had a depleted squad this weekend we should have had enough to get a win.

“It’s a young squad and they will learn from this and hopefully make them stronger for next season.

“Big thanks to Elliott for stepping in at the last minute, he played well considering he is a retired outfield player.

“And luckily we have a game on Tuesday away at Abergavenny to put a few wrongs right.”

Caldicot Town’s title hopes took a blow with a 1-0 defeat at high-flying rivals Abertillery Bluebirds, which saw the hosts leapfrog the Swans to third.

But a Josh Parsons hat-trick moved Chepstow Town up to 10th with a 3-0 home win over Aberbargoed Buds, as both teams showed their support for the ‘Fair Play’ initiative before the game.

Monmouth Town 2nds finished their FAW Cymru Reserves League programme with a tight 1-0 home win over Newport City that sees them finish 11th.

Goytre FC play Croesyceiliog FC at home tonight (Wednesday, April 13), in the Ardal League, kick-off 7.30pm.

Saturday’s (April 16) games see Monmouth Town travel to third-placed Trethomas Bluebirds, Caldicot Town host Llandrindod Wells, Chepstow go to the Buds, and Goytre visit Treowen Stars, while the Kingfishers 2nds are home to Abertillery Excelsiors.