A LAST-GASP strike from Stef Davies kept alive Penrhyncoch’s chances of escaping the drop in a thrilling 3-3 tussle with Huws Gray Cymru Alliance basement rivals Holywell Town at Cae Baker.

The point, the eighth they have picked up in their last four games, leaves the Roosters looking to beat Conwy Borough in their last game, and hoping Holywell drop points in their last two outings.

The Wellmen had led on three occasions through Sam Jones, Damien Ketley and Mark Winslade, but Penrhyn again showed their battling qualities to stay in the hunt through Jon Foligno and Cledan Davies, before Stef Davies fired a third leveller a minute into injury time.

Penrhyn’s fate is no longer in their own hands, however, as they prepare for a must-win last game at home to Conwy Borough a week on Saturday, 27 April.

Holywell are just a point behind, and should they win their last two games at Guilsfield on Saturday and home to relegated Holyhead Hotspur the following week, that would be enough to see them up at the expense of the Cae Baker side.

“It’s in Holywell’s hands, but hopefully Guilsfield can do us a favour on Saturday,” said Penrhyn manager Gari Lewis. “We’re still in there fighting, and we would have taken this position a month ago when we looked done and dusted.

“The boys showed incredible guts to come back three times, with our last goal coming with virtually the last kick. We perhaps should have taken a two goal lead in the first 15 minutes, but I thought we looked nervy, switched off at vital times and conceded sloppy goals.

“We hung in there against a good Holywell side, who have a lot of pace up front, and overall a draw was a fair result.”

Owain James could miss the last game after picking up an ankle ligament injury, Liam Lewis is suspended, and Nashawn Blake is out with an ankle problem.

After a 3-1 win at Bangor City in midweek, with goals by Jonathan Evans and Josh Shaw with a brace, the Roosters went into the Holywell game in good heart - and it was a tense, open tussle.

Evans denied by keeper Michael Platt after latching onto through ball, and Shaw saw his effort at the back post well blocked from Antonio Corbisiero’s cross.

Platt also tipped over a Cledan Davies free kick, but the Wellmen threatened with Sam Jones’ header superbly kept out by Leigh Jenkins from a Ketley cross.

The home keeper was beaten on 25 minutes, however, as Zebb Edwards got on the end of Ketley’s cross to find the net via the crossbar - and then four minutes later Jason Renshaw’s strike was blocked on the goal-line by Tom Evans.

Penrhyn responded well, and were back on terms on 35 minutes when keeper Platt fumbled Cledan Davies’ cross, and Foligno poked home the loose ball.

Holywell quickly regained their advantage when Ketley latched on to a long ball, before volleying past Jenkins.

After Foligno recovered from a clash of heads, the Roosters hit back a second time nine minutes into the second period when Cledan Davies got on the end of Jack Rimmer’s first time cross to score.

Davies was then foiled by Platt from close range, and Jonathan Evans brought a fingertip save from Platt after Stef Davies had neatly flicked the ball on.

Holywell, however, went ahead on a third occasion with seven minutes remaining when Winslade smashed home a loose ball, after a mix-up at the back

Yet, the Roosters were not to be denied and a minute into injury time they salvaged what could prove a crucial point as sub Carl Lamb did well to win a corner, and from Cledan Davies’ flag kick Stef Davies smashed home the loose ball.

PENRHYNCOCH (v Holywell Town): L Jenkins, J Rimmer, S James, J Foligno, T Evans, A Corbisiero, J Shaw (C Lamb 84), O James (M Mousley 86), C Davies, S Davies, J Evans (L Doherty 81). Sub not used: G Lewis.