PORTHMADOG’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals of the Huws Gray Cymru Alliance Cup were shattered when, with a penalty shoot-out looming, Holyhead sub Brendan Hogan snatched victory in the 119th minute.

Campbell Harrison’s team will face Caernarfon Town in the last four, while Flint Town and Prestatyn Town will line-up in the other semi-final.

The decisive goal at the New Stadium ground was largely self-inflicted by Porthmadog, following a mix-up between keeper and central defender Richard Harvey and Dan Roberts.

Hogan nipped in to gain possession and score from a right-angled 12 yards, which left Porth with virtually no time to attempt any recovery.

Craig Papirnyk’s team had gone into the tie as favourites, having beaten Holyhead twice in the league, but it was the hosts who dominated the first half, with Porthmadog making a better effort after the resumption.

During the half-hour of extra-time, however, there was only going to be one winner, as Holyhead dictated virtually all the proceedings, with Porthmadog very much second best.

In the game’s early minutes, Paul Lewis for Porthmadog raised a header over the home target at the back post, after Cai Jones had got in behind the defence on the right to cross in.

Lewis became the provider soon after, crossing from the left to the far post, where Chris Jones blazed his shot too high, and then Lewis put in a ball that was diverted for a corner.

A neat exchange between Chris Jones and Iddon Price enabled the latter to fire over to the bar from 15 yards and, when Meilir Williams took a Chris Jones pass, he was denied by Alex Jones’s last-ditch challenge.

Holyhead probed dangerously at the other end, only to be denied by keeper Harvey’s successful exploits.

Alex Jones had a firm header well saved by the keeper, Dewi Thomas’s shot was chested off the line by Porthmadog’s Steve Bratt, Mel McGuinness drove wide, and Kieron Hilditch was foiled by Harvey, as was Jones again.

In the second half, Porthmadog rued wasted chances by Williams, whose drive was cleared, Chris Jones put the ball over the bar following a free-kick and, in extra-time, Williams saw a header grabbed by Paul Pritchard.

At other stages during the additional period, it was all Holyhead as Porth hardly penetrated the home half, but Hogan’s last-gasp goal was a cruel blow for Craig Papirnyk’s team.

PORTHMADOG: R Harvey, I Price, J Banks, C James, D Roberts, S Bratt (T Clarke 46), R Evans, C Jones, C Jones, M Williams, P Lewis (J Williams 90). Unused substitutes: C Papirnyk, T French (gk).