CWMBRAN kept in touch with the leading pack with a comfortable 3-nil success at the Weirglodd Stadium against the League of Wales' basement club.

However the Gwent outfit paid a heavy price for their eighth win in 12 league starts when they lost talented utility man Chris Watkins.

The former Rhayader player picked up an ankle strain and will definitely miss the big Boxing Day clash against champions Barry Town at Jenner Park.

On the bonus side, this was Cwmbran's first clean sheet for 11 games and only on one occasion did goalkeeper Pat O'Hagan come close to conceding.

Former Ebbw Vale midfielder Colin Loss' 43rd-minute corner was headed against the bar by the much-travelled Steve Mardenborough, who had a brief spell with Cwmbran some years ago.

O'Hagan was forced to make a fine save from Callam McKenzie shortly after the interval when the home side put Cwmbran under pressure as it sought to reduce a 2-0 deficit. But once Rhayader had run out of ideas, Cwmbran regained control and did more enough to return home worthy winners.

Another plus was the form of rookie striker Jason Welsh, who usually plays in the Welsh League Division Two with Taffs Well.

Welsh has bridged the gap recently and Cwmbran's search to find a hitman to play alongside top scorer Craig Hughes appears to be at an end.

Not only did the pair score all the goals, Welsh netting twice, but their link-up play was as good as any other pairing in the league.

And at the back, Cwmbran have discovered the urgency to bring in a central defender has also diminished with the fine recent displays of Mark Hennessey.

The Cardiff Civil Service defender played a trio of meaningless League Cup ties last season, but was brought back to face Newport County in a recent FAW Premier Cup tie. On that occasion, he blotted out County top scorer Garry Shephard and maintained his place in Saturday's starting line-up.

Again Hennessey shone and the 26-year-old now looks likely to feature for the rest of the season.

Hughes opened the scoring on 14 minutes when Watkins brilliantly threaded a through pass and just seven minutes later Welsh made it 2-0.

Hughes' left-wing cross was knocked back into his path by midfielder Anthony Wright and the youngster kept his cool to beat home goalkeeper Richard Morgan. Rhayader lost former Cardiff City star Cohen Griffith shortly before the break, but made light of his absence at the start of the second half.

But as the game wore on, there was only ever going to be one team which would add to the goal total.

And what a goal it was. Wright's superb pass sent Phil James clear down the right and his pin-point cross was expertly steered home by the in-rushing Welsh. Morgan saved well from Hughes late on when Cwmbran played keep ball to confirm their superiority.

*PICTURED: Craig Hughes opening the scoring against Rhayader Town.