LLANIDLOES Town missed a chance to turn up the heat in their chase for Spar Mid Wales League division one honours after being held to a 1-1 draw at Berriew.

Despite bossing much of the second half, they failed to capitalise as the Rhiewsiders held on for a share of the spoils.

Josh Hartrick’s first goal for the club gave Llani the lead but Matt Mumford, who pounced on a cross-shot into the box, levelled matters before the break.

That was how the scoring stayed, despite the visitors having enough opportunities after finishing strongly. They are now fifth, 10 points behind leaders Welshpool with three games in hand.

"It was a good result for the league, but not for us," admitted Llani manager Hugh Clarke. "There should have been a two or three goal difference, so it was two points dropped. Our pace and fitness was too much for them, they were holding on at the end.

"We had enough opportunities, but it was one of those nights when the ball never quite dropped for us.

"We were very good right through the team, solid at the back and sharp going forward, so it was disappointing not to get the three points.

"In the conditions, we went long and more direct, but needed to be a bit more streetwise in and around the box. But I can’t knock the lads. It was our best performance in over a month, and we’ve now got to keep that level going in the next two or three months.

"We’ve now got competition for places, with 15 players good enough to be in the starting eleven."

Hartrick made the breakthrough midway through the first half when latching onto a through ball, his shot beating the efforts of Berriew’s debutant keeper Gareth Barker,

The home side were back on terms 10 minutes later when a 30-yard cross shot from Mark Jones fell for Mumford, who poked the ball past keeper Aaron Warrick.

Llani would reflect they had had enough chances to have returned with the spoils, Mathew Savage shooting over the bar when well placed, while also failing to capitalise on a headed effort.

George Clarke also had a shot cleared of the line and the woodwork also denied the visitors in the second period.

The Daffs now host Radnor Valley on Saturday in the second round of the Spar Mid Wales League Cup as they look to maintain their pursuit of some silverware.

Meanwhile, Llani have been drawn away to Montgomery in the third round of the Central Wales Cup, the tie to be played on Saturday, 30 January.

LLANIDLOES (v Berriew): A Warrick, R Biggs, Josh Evans, H Clarke, D Reynolds, G Owen, E Clarke, M Savage (A Owen 70), J Hartrick (Rhys Evans 83), G Clarke, Richie Evans (Joe Evans 80).