BALA Town warmed up for their most crucial match of the season with an important away Cymru Premier League success.

Nathan Peate's goal settled the Lakesiders' 1-0 success at Flint Town United and next up for Bala is a crucial home meeting with Newtown.

The winners of this encounter will be favourites to finish as runners-up in the league this season.

Having scored against champions The New Saints in midweek, Peate added his sixth goal of the season early in the second-half with a striker-like run and finish in behind the Flint backline.

Bala looked comfortable in our lead until Antony Kay was shown a straight red card following an altercation with an opposition player.

Brad Bauress was in the thick of the action for the Lakesiders right from the word go.

He set up Will Evans a couple of minutes into the game with a pinpoint cross. Evans' shot rebounded off the post yet the linesmen's flag was ready anyway to deny Bala a great goal.

The ball was then down the other end of the field with Alex Ramsay put into action as he pulled off a great stretching save to deny a header across goal.

The Silkmen's best chance came in the 22nd minute.

Ross Weaver found space to direct a header at goal which struck the post before a Flint player was unable to convert from close range.

The Lakesiders looked to take the lead following the break as they pushed men forward.

They got their wish when Alex Ramsay rifled a long ball into the box and found a patient Peate who struck the ball straight past Woods.

Having taken a deserved lead, Colin Caton's men's task of taking home three points was made that much tougher with a third of the game to go.

Kay was given his marching orders for an act of apparent aggressive behaviour as viewed by the linesmen with the Lakesiders left stunned by the decision.