IF MONMOUTH Town are able to secure the Gwent County Division Two title this month, the record books will suggest that recent big wins against the likes of Llanhilleth, Christ-church and Garnlydan had earned them the honours.

But those loyal Kingfishers followers who have watched Andrew Smith's men from the sidelines this winter will know hard-fought narrow wins such as the 1-0 over Cromwell on Monday night have been as important, if not more so.

After an uneventful first half, the fans' loyalty was finally rewarded when Neville Harris fired in a rebound on 72 minutes.

Again Monmouth were hanging on by the end - but did enough to close the gap at the top of the table to four points.

Before the break, their best chance came when Matthew Bowen was put through but denied by a good last-ditch challenge. Earlier, James Hughes had fired over with the goal gaping.

Monmouth had most of the possession, but the uneven pitch sent passes astray and apart from Harris' skill on the left, Bowen and Andrew Rogers had little to feed off up front.

A much-improved, albeit physical, second period ensued with Cromwell catching Monmouth napping from the re-start. A whipped-in corner hit the top of the bar on 46 minutes, though perhaps Robin Pick got a finger to it. For Monmouth, Hughes and Harris continued to create chances while Cromwell had a handball appeal turned away and the occasional threatening corner.

With 30 minutes to go, Monmouth were becoming visibly nervous of dropping two points, Smith hitting a shot in anger from some 28 yards after the ball was only half cleared. Five minutes later Cromwell attempted an over-head kick which was well saved by Pick from close range and the hosts had another effort fly wide.

Bowen continued to chase bouncing through-balls tirelessly up front, and was almost rewarded when he kept one in at the by-line and pulled it back across goal, but the shot was cleared off the line

It was easily the closest Town had come to scoring and finally their persistence paid off when Rogers crossed to Smith, whose shot was parried away - but Harris was on hand to fire the ball high into the net from seven yards out. Minutes later he could have had a second but missed the chance.

With the clock ticking down, Cromwell again struck the woodwork and Justin Harris was called in to action with a last ditch tackle but Monmouth deserved the points - not one of their best displays but a potential championship-winning one.

Monmouth have the chance to close the gap at the top to just a point when they travel to lowly Christchurch tonight, then play their last home game of the season against Abertillery Bluebirds on Saturday. Wins in both would see Town clinch second place - and promotion - at the very least this season.