The New Saints star Greg Draper wins appeal

Saints had expected to be without their leading scorer for the Park Hall showdown and two further games after he was sent off in the reverse fixture on Boxing Day.

Draper had been facing a three-game ban but after launching an appeal with Football Association of Wales, Saints have seen the red card rescinded with their top scorer now clear to play.

The striker was sent off moments after converting a penalty to take his league tally to 14 goals this term during a lively Latham Park encounter that saw Saints trail 2-0. He was given his marching orders for aiming a kick at Kieran Mills-Evans

Despite Draper’s dismissal, the Saints showed their champion credentials to hit back to level with a 35-yard strike from defender Blaine Hudson before Ryan Brobbel completed the comeback.

Victory kept the Saints seven points clear at the top, and they will be in confident mood for their second meeting in four days with the Robins.

“Although we were 2-0 down at half-time, we were playing well, and they scored with the two chances they had,” said boss Scott Ruscoe.

“The message was not to panic, and keep playing the way we had been. If we did that, we knew the chances would come, and even with 10 men we believed we could go on to win.

“A minute before Blaine scored, we were going to take him off, and put on another forward.

“He then scored one of the best goals you’re going to see, so there was no way he was going to come after that.”

Keeper Paul Harrison, who missed the game through sickness, will have his fitness assessed, but Ruscoe will have no qualms in again including youngster Aaron Jones who impressed on his league debut.