TWO goals in each half eased Connah’s Quay Nomads further away from the bottom six scrap, but put more pressure on NEWI Cefn Druids’ fight for league survival.

A first half brace from Ryan Crawford and second half goals from Ben Heath and Stuart Rain gave Nomads a comfortable victory at the Deeside Stadium.

Crawford’s first came in the eighth minute with Nomads’ first attack of the game. A quick break saw him in space on the left edge of the six yard box, and his shot beat Louis Mackin at the near post.

Before the opener, it had been Druids that was dominating the early exchanges, with Paul McDonnell looking impressive down the left wing. His cross in the first minute forced the first corner of the game and then, four minutes later, he created an opportunity for Mike McLean, but his shot was deflected narrowly wide for another corner.

Despite being a goal down, the Ancients continued to dominate possession but, as with most of the rest of this season, had nothing to show for it. Craig Bryan in the home goal was called into action on the quarter-hour mark to make a fine save when the ball was heading for the top corner of the net.

Troy Hayder wasted an opportunity to get the visitors an equaliser. After surging down the right, his rushed shot from the edge of the penalty area went harmlessly over the bar.

The flow of the game changed in the 30^th minute. Paul Mazzarella’s shot was blocked by Mackin and Dean Tuft’s follow-up was quickly closed down by the visiting defence.

Nomads continued to apply the pressure and, in the 42^nd minute, Crawford took a shot on the rise, but sailed high over the bar.

However, the reprieve lasted barely sixty seconds when Crawford again found himself on the left edge of the six yard area and this time he powered his shot into the roof of the net leaving Mackin stranded.

The goal effectively killed the game off as a contest, but Druids still tried to muster a fightback before the interval. A corner from the right was met by an unmarked Troy Hayder, but his header was saved by Bryan.

It was a slow start to the second half, but the game was put beyond any doubt in the 56^th minute.

Darren Williams evaded two challenges down the left touchline before getting into the box. His low cross found Ben Heath in plenty of space to drill the ball home to make it 3-0.

Five minutes later it could have been 4-0. A mix up between Aled Rowlands and Mackin saw Stuart Rain pounce on the loose ball but his shot was headed off the line by the retreating Tony Dunne. His clearance only fell to the hat-trick seeking Crawford, whose shot was also cleared off the line.

With just over quarter of an hour to go, Druids caused the home defence their biggest problem all night when Stacey’s floated right wing cross had to be headed out for a corner by Chris Williams as John Main was ready to pounce.

The home side wasted a golden chance to make it 4-0 in the 86^th minute. Darren Williams got down the inside right channel and into the Druids danger area but, as Mackin closed down the angle, Williams selfishly chose to shoot with Rain standing unmarked with the goal at his mercy, and Mackin made the block.

Two minutes later Rain did get on the scoresheet. Substitute Stuart Cooke pulled the ball back from the left leaving Rain to fire home past the despairing Mackin from eight yards out.

The result gives Nomads breathing space from the bottom six dogfight, but Druids remain deeply haunted by the threat of relegation.

NEWI Cefn Druids: Mackin, Stacey, Beattie, Rowlands, Dunn, Edgar (Baker 79), I.Williams (Main 65), O Jones, McLean, Hayder (Thompson 62), McDonnell.
Booked: Stacey 62.

Attendance: 145
Referee: B Lawlor