BANGOR City manager Kevin Nicholson praised the achievement of his side after their secured second place in the JD Welsh Premier League standings.

At the end of a turbulent week off the field for the Citizens, the squad turned in another stylish display to come away with a 2-1 success at Bala Town, ensuring they finished behind only champions The New Saints of Oswestry Town.

Uncertainty now awaits City this summer with their impending relegation to the Huws Gray Alliance, and their European spot will also be rescinded due to their UEFA and FAW Licence appeal rejection.

Nicholson, said: It was great to finish with a win and clinch the runners-up spot. Our aims were to finish the season strong, reach 60 points, finish second and be the nearest team this season to challenging TNS.

“We achieved all of our targets. Over the course of a league season and 32 matches, every side deserves to finish where they finish - we proved to be the second-best team behind a very good TNS side.

“The players deserve huge credit for how they performed as well as the character and quality they have displayed throughout the season.

“The first goal we scored should be a contender for goal of the season. It was a wonderful team move that epitomised the style and quality of football we have played throughout the majority of the campaign.

“The team have made considerable progress this season, winning more games, conceding less goals and accumulating more points. It's been a marked improvement on previous seasons and we are very proud of achieving the clubs best league finish for six years.”

A stunning Stephen Hewitt opener for the away side was cancelled out by an Ian Sheridan volley, but City managed to secure all three points in fine style thanks to a fine effort from George Harry late on.

This ensured the Citizens finished just 14 points behind TNS and improved on their fourth placed finish last term.