BOW STREET saw their hopes of closing in on Spar Mid Wales League division one leaders Rhayader end in a 4-1 defeat at the Weirglodd last weekend.

The Magpies, who had moved up to third place in the table, had made the perfect start when Ifan Burrell opened the scoring in the first minute - but unbeaten Rhayader fought back strongly.

Rhys Thomas levelled matters and Tom Bethell converted from the penalty spot to earn his side an interval lead.

The Red Kites maintained their pressure in the second half and Thomas earned a second penalty, which Bethell converted, and Richard Powell then completed the scoring with a header.

Machynlleth paid for a slow start at home to Hay St Mary’s as they found themselves two goals down within the opening 15 minutes, before losing 3-1.

The Saints’ top scorer Brendan Hackett found the net after a poor back pass, and just a few minutes later Ryan Davies jinked his way past their full back to fire a low shot past the diving keeper.

A Rob Snedden free kick found Matt Croose with a diving header, but went just wide, as Hay dominated early on.

At the other end, Jordan Baker tipped a Harry Holt shot around the post, but on 24 minutes a back heel by Snedden found Hackett, who went clear and sold the keeper a dummy, before rolling the ball into the empty net for 3-0.

On the stroke of half time a mistake at the back let Mach back in the game as Dewi Thomas scored from close in, and they came out all guns blazing in the second half, without finding the net.

Despite having an effort ruled out for offside, however, it was the Saints who came closest to scoring and Snedden hit a 25 yarder that just cleared the bar, and sub Richard Meredith went close, after he had linked up well with Hackett.

Llanidloes climbed clear of the division one basement with a 2-1 win over rock bottom Welshpool at Maesydre.

Pool, with a new management team of Chris Roberts and Neil Pryce, at the helm, had the bit between their teeth as they enjoyed the better of a goalless first half in front of a sizeable crowd.

Llani rallied in the second half, and went ahead when Rhys Evans scored from a pass by Joe Evans, who capped a fine display by also being the provider for Ed Clarke to get their second goal.

Will Pritchard pulled one back with a penalty eight minutes from time, after a foul by Steve Jones on Roberts, but the Daffs held firm for a valuable victory.

It followed up a 3-2 Radnorshire Cup win against Rhayader in midweek, with the Daffs overturning a two-goal deficit to prevail in extra time through Rhys D Evans, after Harry Clarke and Joe Evans had brought them level.

Carno picked up three points at Ty Brith, despite a lacklustre display, as goals by Drew Reynolds and Peter Rees sealed a 2-1 win over Montgomery.

Reynolds bundled the ball home from an Ollie Lewis corner, but Connor Stacey equalised before half time, after an error from home keeper Kris Williams.

In a largely uneventful second half substitute Gregg Brown crossed in for Peter Rees to sweep home what proved to be the winner from 18 yards out.

Aberaeron had to settle for a share of the spoils in a 1-1 draw against a 10-man Knighton Town, who secured their point through Adam Farmer. A powerful James Hemmings header from Thomas Jones’ cross had put the visitors ahead.

A Karl Seliaerts brace ensured that Berriew’s unbeaten run extended to seven games, but they were held to a 2-2 draw at Llandrindod Wells, who replied with a brace by Elliot Williams.

Radnor Valley beat Llanrhaeadr 5-3, with Ieuan Price, Jack Price, Joey Price and Geraint Lloyd scoring their goals. Iwan Matthews, Iain Edmunds and Tom Bailey scored for Llanrhaeadr, who had Bailey and Ben White sent off.