MATHERN missed a great chance to move closer to the leaders in the Gwent County League Division 2 when they drew 1-1 at New Inn thanks to a late headed goal by defender Gary Baker.

Leaders Cromwell lost 3-1 at Llanhilleth Athletic and Lucas Cwmbran went down 3-1 at RTB Ebbw Vale, but Mathern boss Dean Thomas was still upbeat.

"Gary Baker was our man of the match," he said. "We weren't at our best against a pretty average New Inn side but we were easily the best team."

Meanwhile, Blackrock lost 4-0 at Ynysddu Welfare who will be Mathern's visitors this Saturday.

Three goals in the last 10 minutes gave the scoreline an unfair reflection of the game, according to Rovers manager Paul Lovell.

"A first half goal by Ynysddu from a corner meant a tough task for us," he added, "but the lads stuck at it and came close to equalising on a couple of occasions before a tiring defence allowed Ynysddu to score three times towards the end."

An injury to Kieron Nesbitt and work commitments for Gareth Taylor, have come as a blow ahead of this Saturday's visit by bottom club Spencer Youth.