AN injury-time strike from Richard French sentenced The New Saints to their first Welsh Premier defeat of the season in the top-of-the table showdown at the Remax Stadium. The defending champions had led through Nicky Ward's 19th minute opener. However, they then conceded a goal at the start and end of the second half to return home empty handed. Dylan Blain had put the Steelmen level just 40 seconds after the interval when he met Lee de Vulgt's corner from the right with a powerful header. And the hosts sealed the points almost two minutes into injury time when de Vulgt played a corner short from the right to substitute Andrew Pearson who ran in before passing to French to crash his shot into the net. Defeat means that the Saints are now just one point clear at the top of the table from second-placed Port Talbot. The visitors were disappointed to have allowed their half-time advantage to slip. They had gone ahead on 19 minutes when Alfie Carter fed Duane Courtney down the right. Lee Surman failed to clear the cross and Ward crashed the loose ball past keeper Kristian Rogers. Ken McKenna's men had chances to go further ahead, with Greg Stones heading against the bar from a Scott Ruscoe corner on 35 minutes. But the Steelmen hit back in the second period to seal a crucial win that makes them realistic contenders this term. | 
