BEN Fawcett's winning goal just before the hour mark earned Haverfordwest all three points in a battling 1-0 win over Aberystwyth Town at Bridge Meadow in midweek.

Fawcett stroked the ball home after some sterling work down the right flank from Danny Williams to secure the win on a glorious Spring evening in Pembrokeshire.

It was a welcome win for Wayne Jones side after back-to-back defeats to Penybont and Cefn Druids, to consolidate their place at the top of the Play-Off Conference.

In a quiet first half, Aber skipper Marc Williams headed into the arms of Wojciech Gajda, but at the other end Danny Williams raced down the left and fizzed a ball across goal.

Aber's Harry Franklin and Williams combined well down the left hand side to tee up the returning Jamie Veale - but the former Merthyr man’s curling shot went narrowly over.

But Danny Williams was involved again for the hosts, as he played a pass to the on-rushing Cameron Keetch, but his right-footed strike was well wide of the goal.

The pair linked up again as Williams back-heeled the ball into the path of Keetch, whose low shot fizzed across the goal line, and it was still goalless at the interval.

After the break, Elliot Scotcher sent an inviting free-kick to the front post, and Williams flicked on, but the ball was cleared by the hard-working Aber defence.

For the visitors, Jon Owen saw a shot well stopped by the feet of Gajda - but just before the interval Haverfordwest scored from a lightning quick counter attack.

Cardiff loanee Williams raced down the right and expertly squared the ball for Facwett, and he rolled the ball into the bottom corner to give the Bluebirds the lead.

Aber sub Danny Cockerline fired over from the edge of the box, and Harry Franklin’s dangerous cross narrowly missed the head of the former FC United striker.

A resolute Haverfordwest defence held firm, however, as the Bluebirds took all three points and a clean sheet ahead of Saturday's trip to face Newtown.

HAVERFORDWEST: Wojciech Gajda, Daniel Summerfield, Alaric Jones, Scott Tancock, Corey Shephard, Ben Fawcett (Marcus Griffiths 60), Cameron Keetch, Kurtis Rees, Elliot Scotcher (capt), Kieran Lewis, Daniel Williams (Trystan Jones 90). Substitutes not used: Daniel James, Sean Pemberton, Joshua Le-Grice (GK).

ABERYSTWYTH: Alexander Pennock, Louis Bradford, Lee Jenkins, Harry Franklin, Mathew Jones, Jamie Veale, John Owen (Dan Cockerline 73), Marc Williams (capt) (Owain Jones 73), David Evans (Steven Hewitt 82), Jack Thorn, Thomas Rimmer (Geoffrey Kellaway 88). Substitutes not used: Rhys Davies, Richard Ricketts, Joseph Saunders.

Referee: Alex McInch. Assistants: Daniel Beckett & Connor Thomas. Fourth official: David Markham-Jones.