A LATE goal from Nick Harrhy capped a fine individual display to seal the points for Monmouth, who racked up back to back wins and clean sheets for the first time since September.

The champions have been far from their best in recent weeks, struggling to gain any rhythm in their play or getting any momentum to fixtures, so perhaps a run of games was what was needed to get the Kingfishers firing.

This certainly wasn't the game for goals as Ferry arrived and promptly parked the bus, packing their half when not in possession and looking to hit on the break, which they did while exhibiting considerable threat.

With Dan Clare on the bench, Monmouth town manager Andrew Smith retained his centre back pairing from the previous week.

He also drafted in Ashley Ford at right back as he recovers from a recent operation to remove plates inserted following a serious injury as a fourteen year old.   

Recent dad Rob Laurie returned to the fray too giving Town an altogether more familiar look to their line-up and also managing to have substitutes on the bench. 

In an even and entertaining game there was little goal mouth action in the first half, but Monmouth were for once finding their passes, keeping possession and looking for openings.

A couple of chances were created but the end product was missing.

The second half resumed in much the same vein, although Ferry seemed more content with a possible point and never looked particularly keen to keep the game flowing and injecting any tempo in the process, showing the champions far too much respect.

The approach suited the Kingfishers more and more as Cleaves began to get some traction down the left and Harrhy, Evans and MacDonald threatened to break through the lacking defensive lines.

When a clear chance presented itself, it was a more traditional channel of a break away, as a superb pass from MacDonald saw Ford rush on and crash a great strike against the bar.

Evans only just failed to convert the rebound. MacDonald then had his own strike which whistled wide and it looked like Monmouth would grab the points as the pressure increased.

The introduction of Elliot Ford on the right hand side added further pace and Evans, switching to the left, allowed his composure to bring in players.

When the goal came however it was Harrhy who got just reward for a hard working and mobile display as he cut inside and struck from just inside the penalty box.

The visiting keeper really should have done better than to spill the shot and watch the spinning ball crawl over the line with just five minutes remaining.

A goal behind, Ferry had no option other than to change their plans entirely and convert to all out attack.

The away side had a couple of clear openings which drew some good stops from goalkeeper Blackburn. His performance, combined with some great last gasp defending along with a couple of poor finishes from Ferry, saw the score remain in Town's favour till the end.

The Kingfishers won't mind that though, and return to Penypound on Saturday when they entertain Ton Pentre in the league at a 2.30pm kick off.