CWMBRAN Town failed their first tough test of the season losing 4-2 in an action packed encounter at Connahs Quay Nomads.

The game was marred by two sendings off - and it was the dismissal of Crows' centre back Dean Philpott that effectively changed the game.

The 29-year-old summer signing from Nationwide Conference outfit Merthyr Tydfil seemed to elbow Nomads' striker Stuart Rain in the penalty area two minutes before half time with the game delicately balanced at one apiece.

Referee Brian Lawlor pointed to the spot and immediately sent Philpott walking. As he walked down the players' tunnel, Connahs Quay's inspirational midfielder blasted the penalty past Town keeper Gary Wager giving the home side the lead at the break.

It was the second time Philpott has been sent off this season as he was red carded in Cwmbran's UEFA Cup Tie with Slovan Bratislava after he head-butted an opponent. Connahs Quay midfielder Craig Hutchinson was also given his marching orders just before the hour mark for a second bookable offence after a high tackle.

Those incidents and the six goals made this League of Wales clash a five star show - no consolation for Town boss Tony Willcox who was desperate to build on good performances against Caernarfon Town and Llanelli.

Cwmbran's strikes came from Craig Hughes and Michael Pattimore. In between those came Nomads' goals from Rain, Terry (2) and one from Lloyd Roberts. There were perfect conditions for football at the Dee Side Stadium, with the sun shining and a gentle sea breeze blowing off the Dee estuary.

Nomads had the better of the early exchanges and went close in the 20th minute. But Cwmbran drew first blood against the run of play.

Winger Nathan Cotterell was set free down the left and his inch-perfect cross to the far post was headed home by striker Hughes who left Nomads keeper Paul Whitfield rooted to the spot.

Cwmbran were playing much the neater football but Connahs Quay pulled level five minutes before the break through Rain. Town keeper Wager came for Hutchinson's left wing cross but his feeble punch fell to the feet of Jon Kenworthy. He squared the ball to Rain who bagged his fifth goal of the season from five yards.

The blatant penalty and subsequent dismissal of Philpott was the turning point of the game.

By the time Cwmbran regrouped the game was all but over. Town captain Adam Moore reverted to centre back to fill the void left by Philpott's red card but he could do nothing to stop Nomads' third.

Rain's shot was parried by Wager but only as far as Terry who squeezed in his second goal.

The home side's fourth came just after the hour mark when winger Roberts broke down the Connahs Quay right to shoot across Wager and into the far corner of the net. After that Cwmbran rallied and in the end could have snatched a miraculous result. Luck was not on their side as they hit the posts three times within the last 10 minutes through Hughes, Cotterell and substitute Rhys Griffiths.

The result takes Connahs Quay to the summit of the League of Wales at this early stage of the season as previous leaders Bangor drew 1-1 with Barry Town. Cwmbran slip back to 12th place due to Barry's and Newtown's draws.