Ammanford suffered defeat on the road as they came out on the wrong side of a 3-2 scoreline against league leaders Cambrian United.
Despite creating plenty of chances and Adam John grabbing himself a second-half brace, two early goals in either half, coupled with a long-range effort, saw Town sunk by the men from Tonypandy.
On a crisp but busy night at the M&P Group 3G, both sides had early goals cancelled out by the officials.
The home side took the lead after ten minutes. A long throw into the box wasn’t dealt with, and despite Luke Martin’s superb stop of the first effort, the unmarked Thomas Hillman had the enviable task of smashing the ball home from close range.
Ammanford responded well to the goal and enjoyed a period of possession and territory. Their positivity nearly yielded rewards, but Lewis Reed’s first-time effort was just over the bar after a defensive error.
Aside from Martin producing a great save to prevent Hillman from getting his second, Ammanford finished the half on the ascendancy and were getting joy down the right flank.
Rhys Davies saw a great effort saved by the feet of Morgan Davies before John delivered two teasing crosses across the six-yard box, but agonisingly for Wyn Thomas’ men, both came within inches of a green boot to level the scores at the break.
Just as in the first half, Cambrian United scored early in the second, this time doubling their advantage as Jack Fox’s first-time volley from the edge of the area found the bottom corner through a sea of green traffic.
The visitors created a cluster of chances to get back into the game as John and Reed forced Morgan Davies into excellent saves, while Rhys Davies put an effort from inside the six-yard box wide.
With twenty minutes to go, Ammanford’s attacking play was rewarded when Morgan Davies produced a stunning stop from Reed’s powerful header, only to see the rebound bounce kindly to John, who couldn’t miss from three yards out to halve the arrears.
However, Carmarthenshire joy was short-lived as the hosts restored their two-goal lead just two minutes later. A strike from distance by Josh Allen evaded everyone and nestled in the bottom corner.
The home side were in the ascendancy and created a pair of good chances to put the game to bed. Cameron Keetch somehow missed at the back post, while another effort from distance shaved the post on its way through.
A grandstand finish was set up, and the hosts came within a whisker of the sixth goal of the contest as they struck the post deep into proceedings, while holding on to cement their newfound status as the JD Cymru South leaders.
