NIGEL CLOUGH admitted he was relieved to go home from Llanelian Road with a 2-1 victory after his Burton Albion side scored a controversial late winner in the FA Trophy.
"For 20 minutes to half an hour in the second half we were under pressure," he admitted afterwards. "Colwyn Bay's goal just on half-time came at great time for them and they made it tough for us after that. We are very pleased to have got through it."
On a pitch that was still frostbound in parts, he added: "Condtions were difficult and it was a credit to both sides that there were no injuries. If anybody had gone gone around making bad challenges on that surface we could have had a real problem but they were two very honest sides and it was a good game under the conditions."
After coming from behind to equalise through new signing Lee Spike just before half-time, Colwyn Bay had a great chance to go in front, but Spike shot over the bar from 12 yards after being played in by Anthony Murt.
Burton keeper Saul Deeney saved bravely at Lewis Callaghan's feet and John Boardman put a free kick chance over the bar, with Burton on the ropes at that stage.
But the Blue Square Premier side broke away to score against the run of play with Shaun's Harrad's ball across the face of the goal presenting a tap in for Jake Edwards who looked to be an offisde position.
All the Bay defenders appealed as one, but linesman kept his flag down.
"I thought it was offiside. He was in front of the ball when it was struck; it wasn't as though he'd run onto it, but that's the way it goes sometimes," said Bay manager Gary Finley.
"We got caught a bit empty in midfield when they broke for the goal which we shouldn't have done, but overall I couldn't have asked for any more from the players. They gave it a real go in the second half and can take a lot of credit for how they played against a side that, don't forget, are fourth in Conference."
Edwards had put Burton ahead after 19 minutes after a header from John Brayford rebounded straight to him off a post, and John McGrath twice volleyed chances over the bar, while Andy Corbett shot wide after Jamie Spear had beaten out a shot from Shaun Harrad.
But Colwyn Bay equalised just before half-time when Lee Spike and Anthony Murt exchanged headed passes for Spike to break clear and fire left footed into the bottom corner of the net.
For a good spell in the second half Colwyn Bay looked as though they could pull off an upset, but were undone by that killer second goal 17 minutes from time.
Colwyn Bay: Speare, Wynne, Boardman, Brandreth, Armstrong, Callaghan, Wade, Garrity (Paul Williams 77mins), Murt (Black 82mins), Spike, Crowder. Subs not used: Taylor, Walker and Roberts.

LLANDUDNO had a crucial 1-0 win over Bala Town in the Cymru Alliance with Bryn Jenkins getting the only goal of the game after 77 minutes, but they remain 13 points behind leaders Prestatyn, whon won 5-1 at Gresford, with two games in hand.

In the Welsh Alliance CONWY UNIITED won 2-1 at GLAN CONWY to move into fourth place in the table on their own, but Llandudno Junction lost 3-2 at home to Llanberis and Llanrwst United had their game against Nefyn postponed.

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