MANAGER Gari Lewis admitted Penrhyncoch’s 3-2 exit in the Welsh Cup was hard to take after a controversial last-gasp penalty sent them crashing out of the competition at windswept Cae Baker.

With the third round tie heading for extra time, the Roosters were grounded when Jon Foligno was harshly adjudged to have fouled in the area, and Lee Challenger scored from the spot to break home hearts.

It was a cruel finish, particularly after the hosts had again underlined their resolve to claw their way back from a two-goal deficit to be level at the break through Jonathan Evans and Elwyn Edwards, the defender making his first start for two years.

It was nip and tuck in the second half with the tie in the balance, and an absorbing contest appeared to be destined for another 30 minutes in front of the Sgorio cameras.

But when substitute Foligno tried to shepherd the ball just outside the six yard box, the Cae Baker faithful were stunned when the substitute was ruled to have impeded an opponent.

After initial confusion, the spot kick was awarded, and Penrhyn’s hopes of reaching the last 16 came to a shattering end.

Read the full report and manager Gari Lewis’s comments in this week’s Aberystwyth edition.