CAERNARFON Town’s latest JD Cymru Premier fixture saw them beaten 4-0 at home by The New Saints.

The home side were dealt a blow prior to kick off with the news that striker Asa Hamilton suffered a quad injury in the warm-up when he was set to make his first competitive start. Cai Jones stepped into the starting line-up in his absence.

A cagey opening to proceedings brought little in the way of goalmouth activity, with former Cofis’ star Leo Smith unable to make the most out of a good opportunity to get one over on his old club after nine minutes.

Home custodian Josh Tibbetts had to be at his best to deny Ryan Harrington soon after, with Ryan Astles unable to convert the rebound with 11 on the clock.

Huw Griffiths’ side were doing a good job of containing the full-timers thanks to their discipled organisation, but the visitors did carve out another opening on 19 minutes before Adrian Cieslewicz eventually fired over.

Astles was in the thick of the action midway through the half before when he hit the side-netting from a tight angle, and the Canaries were given a reprieve just before the break when Louis Robles’ effort was ruled out for offside with two minutes remaining of the first period.

After the break saw the hosts gradually start to impose themselves on proceedings, but they were unable to make the most of some improved possession and paid the price on 58 minutes.

Impressive midfielder Nathan Redmond was the architect, providing an expert cross that was met by a powerful header from Robles that gave Tibbetts no chance.

Things went from bad-to-worse for the hosts soon after when TNS doubled their advantage thanks to another outstanding header on 66 minutes, and once again it was Robles who did the damage by steering in a Chris Marriott cross with aplomb.

The home side's fate was sealed shortly after the restart when they conceded a third on 69 minutes when Dean Ebbe rounded off an impressive move by firing into the roof of the net.

Credit to the Canaries, who kept plugging away right until the end and almost had a consolation to show for their efforts when Darren Thomas' curling free-kick on 81 minutes sailed inches wide of the upright.

Former Cofis' loanee Ben Clark put the exclamation point on proceedings with a well-taken finish in stoppage time to complete the rout.

Griffiths’ side will look to put this disappointment behind them this Wednesday when they host Flint Town United and former skipper Nathan Craig, before making the long trip to Cardiff Met on Saturday.