PENRHYNCOCH were hit by a cruel late blow in the JD Cymru North as Colwyn Bay clinched a 2-1 win though Tom McCready’s 86th minute winner, to maintain their push for a top three finish.

Gari Lewis’ side looked to have earned a hard-earned point when Owain James’ second half goal cancelled out Mitch Bryant’s 18th minute opener, but as the stormy weather closed in home skipper McCready snatched a last-gasp winner.

Despite the disappointment, Lewis could take plenty of heart from a committed performance from his eighth-placed side, and they will be looking to get back on track at Buckley Town this weekend.

Penrhyn keeper Leigh Jenkins did well to deny both Sam Downey and Mitch Bryant from close range, but Bryant made the breakthrough on 18 minutes when he headed home his 14th goal of the campaign, from Cai Owen’s accurate cross.

The visitors responded positively with the wind at their backs, and Jon Evans tried an audacious volley which went just over the bar, but at the other end a Sion Edwards effort hit the bar for the hosts.

Jenkins was beaten when Toby Jones fired home from a corner, only for the referee to disallow it due to a head injury, and awarded a drop ball for the keeper.

Penrhyn fought their way back into the game in the second half, and they were rewarded on 66 minutes when a free kick into the penalty area fell for Owain James, and he fired past keeper Andy Coughlin.

The hosts stepped up in the closing 20 minutes and Jenkins was called upon to make another good save to tip an Alex Downes header over the bar, whilst Bryant also placed a couple of chances wide.

A resilient Penrhyn defence held out until four minutes from time, only to be denied when Bryant laid the ball off well for McCready, and his shot from the edge of the penalty area beat the diving keeper to score his 10th goal of the campaign.

Elsewhere in the JD Cymru North, Shaun Cavanagh scored a quick-fire second half double as Porthmadog notched a vital 2-0 home success over Buckley Town in their bid to avoid relegation.

Llangefni Town meanwhile slipped to a 1-0 home defeat against Ruthin Town, with Josh Jones’ penalty kick securing the points on 45 minutes, before the hosts had Cai Roberts sent off on the hour.