Greg Draper is at the double for TNS

Looking for a third win of the season against the West Walians, the defending champions were frustrated before Draper unlocked the door with a double strike before the interval.

That proved ample to record an eighth straight victory for TNS, who remain five points above second-placed Bala Town and 10 points ahead of Llandudno in third spot.

Draper has now netted 11 times this season, seven of those in the Word Cup, and was quick to make his mark after missing the previous week's 4-0 victory over Aberystwyth Town.

However, his game was to end prematurely as the forward pulled up with a hamstring injury with 20 minutes remaining, and was replaced by Mike Wilde.

Manager Craig Harrison said: "Greg can always get you goals, he has shown that, and we're lucky that we've got five or six at the club who can score 15-20 goals a season.

"He pulled up with a hamstring which was a bit of a concern, we brought him off straight away so hopefully the injury will not be that serious."

He added: "We had to be patient as Haverfordwest – like a lot of teams that come here – get players behind the ball, and play compact and narrow.

"We just had to be patient and wear them down. We missed a good chance early on but, once we scored the first goal, it changed the dimension of the game.

"We knew they would have to come out more and, once we got the second, it made a big difference as we very rarely lose at home when we're two goals up.

"We had chances to win by more, but we have to be happy with another three points and another clean sheet, our ninth in 13 league games."

TNS were soon on the front foot and almost opened the scoring when Draper was put through with just goalkeeper Scott James to beat, but saw his shot smartly saved.

Simon Spender then found space in the penalty box, but the right-back was also denied by another impressive save from James.

Moments later, the visitors sounded a warning when they broke forward in a rare raid with Jordan Follows firing over, before Greg Walters' powerful strike flew just wide of the post.

However, with half-an-hour played, Draper made the breakthrough when converting from close range after latching onto a terrific pass from Matthew Williams.

That lead was doubled right on the half-time interval, when the New Zealand forward calmly rounded goalkeeper James to slot in from eight yards out.

The Saints continued to control possession after the interval, and Williams went close to adding a third on the hour mark only for his headed effort to fly just over the bar.

The hosts had further chances with Robbie Parry almost marking his appearance as substitute with a first goal for the club when his dipping volley struck the bar.

With the bar still shaking, Chris Seargeant's shot from 20 yards again rattled the woodwork as TNS failed to add further goals that their superiority deserved.

But it again proved another solid day's work, as the defending champions stretched their unbeaten run to 15 games in all competitions this season.