TEENAGE marksman Chris Pearce continued his remarkable strike rate to give the Crows a Welsh Premier League relegation lifeline at a bitterly cold Recreation Ground last night.

Pearce, 20 next Monday, hit both goals to take his tally to five in six full and one substitute Welsh Premier League appearances since signing from Welsh League Division One outfit Caerleon.

"I'm obviously very pleased to have scored twice, but I have to praise the whole side for this win," said Pearce. "We thoroughly deserved this and now perhaps we can progress on to better things."

Pearce is right because this success, Cwmbran's first away league win in 13 attempts since the 1-0 victory at Llanelli way back on September 8, was indeed an all-round affair with many others catching the eye.

Simply because he plays in such a high-profile position as goalkeeper, Richard Lancaster stood out with a fine performance.

He won four, one-on-one duels while also saving several on-target shots as the home side enjoyed small pockets of dominance.

There was also an encouraging performance for new striker Steven Loverso. The 6ft 4ins American made his club debut following his recent move from WL side Taffs Well and he certainly looked the part until he received an accidental knock to an eye shortly before the break.

He struggled on until the interval, but was replaced by central defender Daniel Clare with Josh Collins pushed up front to take over from Loverso.

Clare's presence appeared to be an instant lucky omen for Cwmbran because within 40 seconds of the start of the restart, Pearce struck what proved to be the winner, a 25-yard effort which took a deflection on its way past home goalkeeper Andrew Mulliner.

Like Lancaster, Mulliner was also forced to make a whole series of saves and this thoroughly-entertaining game may easily have ended up with some 15 goals to its name.

It exploded into action with two headed goals in the opening five minutes, striker Hugh Clarke being left unmarked to beat an exposed Lancaster before Pearce glanced home a Simon Heal cross past Mulliner.

Cwmbran remain bottom-but one in the two-strong relegation zone, but were further heartened when it was discovered the team immediately above them, Connah's Quay Nomads, had lost.

And the Crows have a fair chance of picking up another win on Saturday when they host Airbus UK, who are only six points better off in 13th place.

Caersws: A Mulliner, A Thomas (c), L Grist, C Reynolds, A Griffiths, J Bermingham (M Williams 63), G Jones, G Lewis, N Mitchell (T Sparey 75), R Stephens, H Clarke. Sub not used: I Probert. Booked: Stephens (76), Williams (80). Goal: Clarke (3).

Cwmbran Town: R Lancaster, T Green, D Tippins, N Ward, J Collins, Z Misbah, S Heal, M Phillips, S Loverso (H Clarke 46), C Pearce (G Goodridge 80), J Edwards (R Carpenter 80). Goals: Pearce (5 & 46).

Referee: S Jones (Sketty).