KRISTIAN Dimond couldn't have chosen a better time to score his first league goal of the season, his late effort denying the visitors a precious point in their quest to avoid Welsh Premier League relegation.

There were only six minutes left on the clock when Dimond side-footed home off a post from 20 yards to enable the Crows to remain in seventh place.

There was still time, however, for the Lido to have a goal disallowed by an assistant referee's offside decision at a Craig Martin free kick.

And there was even more time left for referee Paul Thomas to red card Lido defender Carl Evens for verbal abuse.

From the side which started at Haverfordwest, the Crows made two changes, goalkeeper Gareth Wesson coming back from suspension to replace teenager Nicholas Church and striker Kristian Hanbury brought in for banned-for-one-match skipper Jason Perry.

That allowed midfielder Chris Thomas to drop back in Perry's place with Hanbury accompanying Jason Welsh up front.

As the game looked to be heading for a goal-less stale-mate, it was a couple of missed Welsh chances which was looking likely to cost the home side two points.

Shortly after the hour mark, the 11-goal marksman failed to connect with a Michael Fowler cross-shot when only four yards out. And with ten minutes remaining, Welsh headed over from a good position at Dimond's corner.

Early in the game, Hanbury forced visiting stopper Brian Thomas to make a fine, one-handed save before Carl Evans prevented Hanbury flicking in Simon Heal's by-line cross at the near post. Lido moved forward with Sacha Walters slamming a long-range effort narrowly wide with Welsh unlucky not to be able to stretch himself enough to get on the end of a Fowler pass.

Soon after the interval, Dimond went close with a long-range free kick before Thomas made a good save from Welsh.

Parity appeared to be gaining the upper hand until Dimond's winner making it five games unbeaten at home for the Crows, who have a quick chance to make it six on Friday when they host Lido's steeltown rivals Port Talbot Town(7.30pm).

Cwmbran Town: Wesson, Green, K James, Cochlin, C Thomas, Fowler, Edwards (Plant 71), Dimond, Welsh, Hanbury(Mainwaring 71), Heal (Porter 88). Subs not used: Church (gk). Booked: Green (34). Goal: Dimond(84).

Afan Lido: B Thomas, P Evans, Bashir, C Evans, Driscoll (Lewis 62), Rickard, McCreesh, Pridham, Holmes, Walters (Thomas 82), Hurley. Subs not used: Lavis, D Williams. Booked: Driscoll (53), Walters(74). Sent off:C Evans(88). Referee: P Thomas (Penygraig)

Yesterday's results: Aberystwyth 1 Newtown 1, Airbus UK 0 Welshpool Town 2, Caernarfon 1 Connah's Quay 1, Caersws 0 Porthmadog 1, Carmarthen 5 Llanelli 1, Port Talbot 0 Haverfordwest 1, Rhyl 2 Bangor City 3, T.N.S. 1 Newi Cefn Druids 0