CHEPSTOW Town finally returned to league action after a six-week gap on Saturday, and were made to scrap by lowly Ardal South East visitors Abercarn United, before running out 1-0 winners and extending their unbeaten run to 13 games.

The high-flying Jockeys found themselves in a battle with the bottom-four side, and had to wait until the 67th minute to break the deadlock, Iestyn Davies firing home.

The three points leaves Chepstow second nine points behind pacesetters Treowen Stars – who beat Abergavenny 3-0 – with a game in hand.

Like Aber, league rivals and neighbours Goytre – Monmouthshire's last surviving team in the FAW Trophy – also had a fruitless weekend, bowing out of the FAW Trophy at the quarter-final stages 3-1 at Llanrwst United.

The Jockeys 2nds were also riding for a fall at Tredegar Town in the South East Reserves League, where they crashed 7-1 after the hosts' Aron Vaughan scored a hat-trick in the first 20 minutes.

It was 6-0 before Alfie Owen finally put Chepstow on the scoresheet just before the break, although the hosts then missed a penalty before firing a seventh five minutes into the second period.

Thankfully, Chepstow then stopped the rot with no further goals, preventing the prospect of a double digit defeat.

The Jockeys 3rds also took a tumble, losing 4-0 at home to Caldicot 3rds in the semi-final of the East Gwent Brian Reed Cup

Elsewhere, Gwent Premier basement boys Usk Town fought hard at second-placed Alway, but had to give second best 3-1, Gene Gurie with a late consolation.

Chepstow Town 2nds are away to Abergavenny 2nds on Wednesday night (March 5), while fixtures this Saturday (March 8) include – Newport Corinthians v Chepstow Town, Chepstow Town 2nds v Caldicot Town 2nds.