PORTHMADOG were heading towards a narrow victory over Caersws, until the never-say-die Bluebirds struck twice late on to snatch the Cymru Alliance points with a dramatic 2-1 win.

The winning goal came from a penalty by Sean Evans three minutes into stoppage time, to stun the Traeth faithful, after a foul on Evans by Iddon Price during a frantic scramble just inside the home box.

That blow for Craig Papirnyk’s men followed Caersws’ 90th minute equaliser by ex-Porthmadog player Josh Hartrick, who rushed forward after gaining possession in midfield to fire home from 15 yards.

Porthmadog could hardly believe their fate, after they had created enough chances to have put the outcome beyond doubt.

The home team had taken a deserved lead on the hour as Cai Jones despatched a 15-yard effort from an angle on the right, beyond Caersws goalkeeper Luke Evans.

The first half saw Cai Jones test Evans and Sion Bradley force a corner, whilst at the other end, Iwan Lewis and Phil Jones had forced saves from Richard Harvey.

Porth stepped up after the break and Bradley set up Cai Jones at eight yards’ range, only for the latter to fire at the keeper.

Chris Jones, from another Bradley assist, also forced the Caersws’ stopper to close down on his quickly - after which Jones supplied Price on the left, but his cross-come-shot flew wide beyond the far post.

Substitute Joe Williams had a drive from the right deflected over the bar and, from the resulting corner by Bradley, Chris Jones directed a header wide of the goal.

Williams bore down on the Caersws’ target soon after and chipped the goalkeeper, but the ball flew just wide, as the hosts continued to rue a catalogue of misses.

Caersws had their occasional threats, with manager Graham Evans arriving off the subs’ bench to shoot low past a post and then offer a free-kick, which Rhydian Davies headed into Harvey’s hands.

PORTHMADOG: R Harvey, I Price, J Banks, D Roberts, T Clarke, C James (M Williams 71 minutes) , R Evans, Ch Jones, C Jones (J Williams 78’), S Bradley P Lewis. Unused substitutes: S Bratt, T French (gk), C Papirnyk.

CAERSWS: L Evans, J Parr, P Jones, E Jones, T Richards, I Lewis, J Harries (G Evans 39), R Davies, J Hartrick, L K Evans, S Evans. Unused subs: G Jones, D McPhee. Attendance: 153.