SUCH is the shortage of bodies available to Monmouth Town's creaking title defence that Manager Andrew Smith named himself as a substitute, perhaps not thinking he may have to play his part in a comeback.

Smith was wearing the yellow of Monmouth for the first time since a substitute appearance in a thrilling tie against Barry Town back in 2013.

A second half injury to top scorer Dan MacDonald with half an hour still to play gave him little choice and, to big cheers, Smith entered the fray with the game at 1-1.

A few tackles later and a couple of neat through balls it was clear "the gaffer" was enjoying himself enough to take a penalty after Jacob Guy had been man handled in the penalty area. His spot kick rolled back the years and nestled in the corner to give the Kingfishers a 2-1 lead.

Town did make hard work of it however, but at least there was plenty of hard work on show from the home team.

The pitch was lifeless and severely cut up, which hampered any plans for flowing football from either side.

Although looking certain for the drop, Pontardawe tried to move the ball as much as their more vaunted opponents, but more often than not any attacks were snuffed out easily enough.

Dan MacDonald did bring a superb save from a rasping free kick and Nick Harrhy saw a good effort fly wide but Keiron Blackburn was rarely troubled in the home goal and the first half passed peacefully into history without troubling the scoreboard.

Early in the second half the complexion of the game changed as a through ball seemed to hold up and deceive Dan Clare, and a Pontardawe striker nipped in to lob Blackburn. Suddenly the champions were staring at another defeat.

It did seem to rouse the side though as Eliot Evans saw more of the ball in advanced positions and Jacob Guy joined in further up the pitch.

It was good work from the other full back Aaron Davies for the first Monmouth goal as he headed on for Nick Harrhy to smash an unstoppable shot beyond the keeper for the equaliser.

Luke Cleaves replaced Sam Palmer and injected some further pace up the pitch and, with Smith's entry, Town looked more aggressive all round.

Following a fracas at a corner the referee awarded Town a penalty and Smith scored as the game got increasingly petulant.

It was young Luke Cleaves who had the final say with a driving run and finish for his first of the season and one that should boost his confidence for the next few games.

There was still time for a final flourish from the referee as a red card was handed to a Pontardawe defender for a poor challenge on Harrhy.

This was a much better display from Monmouth but the visit of title chasing Caerau Ely on Tuesday to Penypound (7.30pm) will be a much a sterner test.