Denbigh Town closed pre-season with a 2-1 win at Central Park with a brace from Jake Walker proving the difference under the floodlights.

Taylor Harris’ first-half goal saw Nomads go into the break with the lead but with just 40 seconds on the clock in the second period, Walker began and later finished a Town comeback to see off the friendlies before the real work begins.

The game began with both sides having plenty of the ball but the Nomads had the majority of the territorial advantage, as they pushed forward without creating anything of substance.

The first chance of note fell to Town when Nathan Brown on the left cut inside and hit a superb effort that the Nomads custodian tipped with his fingers onto the left post before Tom Weir’s follow-up shot was blocked on the line by a defender.

Nomads had their first chance on 21 minutes when a free-kick was delivered from deep and headed back across goal before finding the net, but the linesman flagged for offside. Not that it mattered, as Quay broke the deadlock just a minute later.

Taylor Harris’ anticipation worked wonders as a corner came in, was missed by Aaron Jones in goal, and thudded home from the centre of the area.

Denbigh replied on 25 minutes when Keiron Roberts’ cross was met by Brown who volleyed the ball into the ground which - after being initially spilled - was claimed by the goalkeeper. Moments later, Brown again rifled one toward goal but couldn’t hit the target.

Denbigh in reality peppered the Nomads' goal, Brown hit one into the side netting before Weir’s tame shot was easily gathered, but lead to a break from the visitors resulting in Jones making a great low stop to deny a Quay second.

Weir and Brown were relentless in their pressure, with the former shrugging off two defenders before testing the shot-stopper before blazing one just over with a minute to go until the break.

Half-Time: Denbigh Town 0-1 Connah’s Quay Nomads XI

With just 40 seconds on the clock in the second half, substitute Walker returned with a bang as a cross came in from Roberts, and the forward headed home a terrific goal to put Denbigh on level terms.

He nearly had a hatrick within the first five minutes when another header forced the keeper into a save before his shot from distance fizzed across the face of goal.

On 52 minutes Brown once again tested the goalkeeper as he ran down the middle before hitting a shot down the stopper’s throat, whilst Levent Gundogan’s audacious effort only met the upright.

Nomads hit the post themselves just after the hour mark but the chances in the second half were in reality all Denbigh’s.

With ten minutes to spare the Nomads goalkeeper made an incredible stop to deny Paul Fleming following a cross from Walker, who sliding in just yards out was stopped by the keeper in excellent fashion.

However, on 81 minutes Denbigh finally had the lead. Brilliant work to play out from the back led to Harry Lockley darting down the left and crossing for Walker who volleyed home into the bottom corner for his and Town’s second.

Gundogan almost made it three but his shot inside the box hit the same post he’d met 20 minutes earlier and the upright wasn’t done when Walker was denied his hatrick from range by the pesky left post.

The match and pre-season schedule came to a close and now full attention turns to Friday night when Denbigh begin the season with a trip to Chirk AAA in the Nathaniel MG Cup, kick-off at 18:45.

Image: Roy Gunther