Port slipped to their sixth single goal defeat of the season five of these being on their travels. This enabled Cwmbran to extend their impressive run of victories to seven and thereby complete the double over the visitors, having previously won by 2-0 at the Traeth. Port will once more feel that they should have gained at least a point from the game and indeed most would agree that a draw would have been a fair result. The visitors suffered, as so often this season, from a lack of goal power for they created enough chances but lacked conviction in front of goal.

At least one remarkable record came to an end today when, after scoring in ten consecutive league games, at last Chris Summers failed to put his name on the scoresheet. This was in no small measure due to the excellent performance of the central defensive pairing of Lee Webber and skipper Mike Foster -who had to switch from his usual left back to centre back- with Ritchie Owen dropping back to the back four. All three together with John Gwynfor performed sterling work at the back and also contributed much going forward.

Port could have taken the lead as early as the fourth minute when Carl Owen after breaking on the left crossed into the box but Mark Williams failed to execute a final touch. This was followed by a strong period of home pressure when a series of corners by Richard Hurlin from both flanks put the Port defence under severe pressure. The best chance during this period fell to ace marksman Chris Summers who failed to convert Hurlin's long cross to the far post. Further chances for the home side were spurned first when McGuigan failed to hold a well struck free-kick but Adam James shot over when well placed and a Hurlin free-kick went narrowly past the upright. Towards the end of the half Port again threatened and came close to scoring when keeper Gareth Wesson misjudged a Dafydd Evans lob, but the retreating goalie just managed to palm away one handed for it to be eventually scrambled clear. Then just before the end of the opening half Ritchie Owen crossed from the left to find Carl Owen with probably more space than he realised, but his finish screwed tamely past Wesson's left hand post.

The second period continued much as in the first with both sides creating and spurning opportunities. At the visitors end McGuigan had to pull off a spectacular save to keep out a powerful shot by Kristian Dimond from 20 yds while after 55 mins, following good work down the right by Carl Owen and John Gwynfor, the former found Graham Austin in space in the box the former Llangefni forward controlled well with his chest but his shot went straight at the keeper when it appeared that he must score. McGuigan was in action again to keep out Jason Welsh, the scorer of both Crows goals at the Traeth,but this time venturing up from a defensive role where he proved a keyfigure in keeping Port at bay. Steve Jones (Pugh) sent in a dipping shot which went narrowly over the bar. Then after 74 mins came the shot which decided the game. Following another Hurlin corner the Port defence for once were only able to partially clear and the ball ran to Adam James on the right of the box and he lashed a power shot which gave McGuigan no chance.

Though it was a game that had seemed likely to be decided by a single goal Port still had good opportunities to draw level. The best of these fell to sub Campbell Harrison when Steve Jones cut a low ball into the box but Harrison's shot lacked power and was cleared off the line. Further chances fell to Lee Webber and Tony Williams but it was not to be. At the other end a clever flick by Summers was sent over the bar from close in by Perry.

Port will be satisfied with their general performance but appear to lack confidence in front of goal. When you lose at Cwmbran it's a long journey home.

Port: Gerard McGuigan, John G Jones, Lee Webber, Mike Foster, Ritchie Owen, Tony Williams (Bari Evans), Dafydd Evans, Gareth Caughter, Graham Austin (Campbell Harrison), Mark Williams (Steve Jones), Carl Owen.

Cwmbran: Gareth Wesson, terry Green, Kristian James, Jason Perry, Jason Welsh, Mike Fowler, Chris Summers, Rhodri Jones, Kristian Dimond, Adam James, Richard Hurlin.
Subs: Kevin Wallace, Kaid Mohammed, Luke Fernquest

Report by: Gareth Williams