FLINT Town United manager Niall McGuinness and midfielder Alex Jones were both sent off during their 1-0 home loss to Cardiff Met.

The Silkmen were unable to build on a positive result last weekend on their way to a ninth defeat in 12 JD Cymru Premier games, and things do not get any easier for the newly-promoted side this week with two tough-looking fixtures on the road.

United will first travel to reigning top-flight champions Connah’s Quay Nomads on Tuesday night, before making the long trip south to take on Barry Town United on Saturday.

A cagey start to the contest brought little in way of goalmouth action during the opening exchanges, with Callum Bratley going close on three minutes when his effort was comfortably held.

One of the game’s turning points arrived on 22 minutes when former Prestatyn Town midfielder Jones was dismissed, which also saw McGuinness shown a yellow card for dissent following the decision.

The home side had to withstand a barrage of pressure in the immediate aftermath, which they did well, with Richie Foulkes and Conor Harwood both going close at the other end just before the break.

Met continued to press after the break and got their rewards on 66 minutes when Ollie Hulbert broke the offside trap and calmly slotted past John Danby to break the deadlock.

McGuinness was sent to the stands after protesting the offside call with a second yellow card.

Ben Maher, Bratley and Kai Edwards all went close in quick succession following the goal, with Danby producing a sensational save to deny the Students a second in the closing stages.

The defeat leaves Flint second-from-bottom in the standings, one point behind both Newtown and Aberystwyth Town.