CWMBRAN Town brought an end to Caernarfon's excellent start to the season at their temporary home, Port Talbot's Victoria Road ground, with their 3-2 win.
But the Crows made hard work of this clash against Caernarfon, who were promoted last season from the Cymru Alliance, and the scoreline hardly reflects their domination throughout the 90 minutes.
Manager Tony Willcox said: "There were a lot of things in the game which were very pleasingfor us.
"We gave a very good first-half performance with good movement, confidence on the ball and played at a fast tempo which shook Caernarfon, who couldn't live with it. "We got at them early on and although we didn't score in the second-half we created a lot of chances.
"They scored a late second goal but the scoreline flattered and even the most committed Caernarfon fan admitted that."
It was indeed a very one sided battle particularly the opening half when the Crows scored their three goals.
But it should have been over at the interval as the Gwent team carved out so many opportunities and the Canaries were truly let off the hook.
Craig Hughes set Cwmbran on their way after a bright start when he fired home from eight yards in the third minute. But the forwards were found wanting soon afterwards when they failed to add to their tally.
Cwmbran, however, took full control as Caernarfon were just chasing shadows around the park.
Nathan Cotterell finally broke through with the second goal after a long spell of pressure - he fired home after 23 minutes. Then, however, a lapse in concentration gave the men from the North a lifeline. Sloppy defending gave Adam Lewis space to send a free header across the box where Anthony Smith was on hand to turn the ball in from close range.
It was a blow to Cwmbran but on the day the Crows were a far better unit and they soon regained the initiative with a goal two minutes before the break.
Nathan Wigg saw his venomous 25 yard shot parried by keeper Dave Williams and Chris Watkins reacted quickly to slot the rebound into the net.
The Crows lost captain Sean Wharton at half- time with a hamstring injury, replaced by Phil James.
Dean Philpott and Adam Lillis were having an interesting battle in midfield but the frustration got to the Caernarfon man with a quarter of an hour remaining when he was sent off for dissent.
He will no doubt appeal against the decision after the referee red carded him for throwing the ball in his direction but Lillis claimed that he was giving the ball to the Crows' keeper. The referee also yellow carded seven other players in what was hardly a bad tempered clash.
Striker Tommy Mutton worried the Crows when he pulled one back with three minutes remaining. He cleverly directed a cross into the back of the net from 12 yards to give Willcox an anxious final few minutes.
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