THE Crows must turn on the style and win at Newton tomorrow night after such a tepid performance at Caersws when they lost 2-nil on Saturday afternoon.

While it was a body blow, defeat was no disgrace, because few, if any sides, would have taken Caersws in this kind of mood in their own back yard. But they, like so many sides, have lacked consistency, Cwmbran included.

Cwmbran are poised to establish a British record run of matches without a draw. Glasgow Celtic are the holders on 34 and Cwmbran are now on 33, a Welsh and English record, previously held by Doncaster.

Cwmbran manager Tony Willcox would have gladly broken the sequence at Caersws for a point.

Much has been made of Cwmbran's scintillating scoring in recent matches - 18 in the previous three League of Wales outings, including three-hat-tricks.

There was little or no hint of this breathtaking run continuing - the machine ground to an unceremonious halt.

But in fairness Caersws manager Mickey Evans had prepared his side well. They were certainly not to be lambs led to a slaughter.

Willcox was forced to concede: "We started poorly and got slightly better." Cwmbran failed to control midfield and the early loss of Nathan Wigg didn't help. He limped off after 16 minutes and later on looked in a great deal of discomfort, making him doubtful for the Latham Park trip.

Richard David took his place, playing in back three with skipper Sean Wharton moving into central midfield.

Willcox added: "We didn't play very well in the first-half - probably our least effective performance for sometime.

"We just didn't adapt to the conditions and conceded two poor goals. The second-half was a bit better without having the quality to finish things off. The final cross and the final pass was not there.

"Caersws thoroughly deserved to win - at least on their first-half performance." Roger Gibbins, Cwmbran's assistant manager, prowled the touchline, cajoling his young charges but it didn't need a tactical genius to realise the game was ebbing away on a heavy pitch which, a couple of weeks ago, was under flood water.

He barked to his players, "wake-up, wake-up," as if they didn't realise the danger they faced. And that was after 21 minutes. But Cwmbran hadn't the artillery to combat a stronger-running side, sharper to the tackle and hungrier for the muddy scrap. Caersws coped much better - and none better than Robbie Hamer who often ran through unchallenged from midfield.

Just eight minutes after Gibbins sounded his rallying cry Cwmbran fell behind. Hamer deservedly applied the finishing touch from close-range but Cwmbran's defending was not all it should have been.

Perhaps the only surprise for Cwmbran at half-time was that they were not in deeper in trouble.

However, they put the break to good use and immediately placed Caersws under threat inside a minute with Chris Watkins and Anthony Wright combining to create an opportunity for Craig Hughes, his shot blocked.

Wharton set up Mattie Davies six minutes into the second-half and under-worked goalkeeper Matthew Griffiths made a smart save. However, Cwmbran couldn't make the vital breakthrough and when Sean Jehu pounced in the 76th minute, it was all over. Caersws (3-5-2): Matthew Griffiths; Thomas, Clarke, A Griffiths; Jones, Hamer, Martyn Griffiths, Jehu, Howells; Evans, A Davies. Subs: Not used: Williams, Fletcher, J Davies.Booking: Clarke (unsporting behaviour, 44 min)

Cwmbran (3-5-2): O'Hagan; Carter, Wharton, Moore; Watkins (Pattimore, 81 min), Wright, Wigg (David, 16 min), Smothers (Mainwaring, 81 min), Cotterrall; Davies, Hughes.Bookings: Moore (unsporting behaviour, 35 min), Hughes (unsporting behaviour, 44 min). Referee: Ray Ellingham (Cardiff) Attendance: 210