ABERYSTWYTH Town saw their eight match unbeaten run come to an end at the Oval as Neville Powell’s men endured a heavy 4-0 defeat away to Caernarfon Town, having had to play the entire second half with just 10 men.

An open and exciting game saw Nathan Craig crucially score two penalties for the hosts, either side of Aber being reduced to 10 men when the influential Walker was red-carded on 42 minutes.

Jamie Breese and Darren Thomas finished things off for the hosts midway through the second half, on a night to forget for the loyal army of Aber supporters.

Young Lee Jenkins came back into Aber’s starting side at centre back, to replace the suspended Ryan Wollacott, and on a chilly but clear night the game started at a high pace, with the hosts showing early initiative.

Gareth Evans headed wide from an offside position for the home side, before Ash Ruane nearly got on the end of Rio Ahmadi’s flick on.

Jenkins then set up Ahmadi from a corner, but Aber’s right winger hit the side netting with his cute effort.

Just past the 10-minute mark keeper Terry McCormick pulled off a super stop to deny Jamie Breese, who was through on goal, but then Allan Goodall brought down Evans in the box, and Craig dispatched the penalty to put the home side ahead.

Craig then sent another screamer just past the post, before Ruane at the other end found himself bearing down on goal, only for Alex Ramsey to pull off a great save to prevent an equaliser.

Breese then clipped the crossbar with a neat chip, but Ahmadi’s cross ball again called Ramsey into action.

In a breathless half, McCormick was next to pull off a great save, denying Breese once again, before Ramsey had to parry Paolo Mendes’ effort wide, and Jenkins glanced the ball over the bar from Wes Baynes’ corner.

Then, just before the break Aber’s Declan Walker was sent off, receiving two yellow cards for a foul and dissent, and in a tight game Aber were now up against it.

McCormick did well to catch Evans’ lob and after Ryan Edwards had curled wide from distance, somehow the opening half ended at just 1-0 to Caernarfon.

Ten-man Aber made a brilliant response to the sending off after the break, and bossed the first 15 minutes.

Ahmadi’s shot caused Ramsey to flap, but was kept out, and then Ahmadi took a free kick on the edge of the area and curled a beautiful effort onto the post, with the ball agonisingly staying out.

McCormick did well to deny Gareth Edwards, then Aber’s Mattie Jones fired over, with Aber showing definite signs of a recovery.

On the hour the visitors were infuriated as a penalty was awarded to Caernarfon for a challenge by Mendes on Sion Bradley, which Aber insisted was outside the box.

Again it was Craig who confidently stepped up, and once again he succeeded in outwitting McCormick, to give the Cofis a 2-0 cushion.

Within two minutes the dangerous Bradley put Breese though to add the killer third goal for the hosts, and six minutes after that Gareth Evans squared the ball to Thomas in the box, and he side-stepped his way past McCormick to score his first goal of the campaign.

Credit to the Seasiders, who continued to create chances until the end, and another flap from Ramsey from Baynes’ cross gifted the ball to Mendes, whose shot was cleared off the line.

Aberystwyth substitute Joe Phillips was also denied, and he then crossed for former Caernarfon favourite Ruane to head goalbound, only for the home keeper to redeem himself with an absolutely brilliant diving save.

McCormick kept out sub Danny Brookwell and Darren Thomas’ header, before an action-packed game ended at 4-0 to the home side.

CAERNARFON: A Ramsey, J Williams, N Craig, G Edwards, G Evans, J Crowther, J Breese (D Brookwell 71’), N Edwards (K Roberts 71’), D Thomas, R Williams, S Bradley (D Owen 87’). Not used: N Bould (GK).

ABERYSTWYTH: T McCormick, W Baynes, S Edwards, A Goodall (J Rimmer 75’), P Mendes (G Kellaway 75’), P Ahmadi (J Phillips 75’), D Walker, R Edwards, L Jenkins, M Jones, A Ruane. Subs not used: N Blake, N Coleridge.

Attendance: 631. Referee. T Williams.