LLANIDLOES Town manager Hugh Clarke could take plenty of heart from their performance in the 1-0 defeat at Spar Mid Wales League leaders Penrhyncoch as his side prepared to travel to face Aberaeron this Saturday (ko 1pm).

Indeed, it was a vast improvement from his side’s 7-0 drubbing against the Roosters in the League Cup, in his first game in charge back in November.

"In the first half we could have gone in one up, we had a couple of chances, their keeper made some good saves, and we also hit the bar," he said.

"In the second half, they were the better side down the slope, but we can take a lot of positives, particularly from the way we played in the first half.

"You don’t like losing, but we’re looking more solid now right throughout the team, and if we put in that level of performance, then we will win more than we lose.

"But we need to do it every game, not just when we are playing the top sides."

The Daffs enjoyed a promising first half, with Josh Evans forcing keeper Lee Jenkins into a couple of smart saves, while also hitting the bar.

George Clarke was also denied by Jenkins from outside the box just before the interval.

The hosts themselves went close when Mark Gornall played a terrific pass to Nathan Warren, who was denied by a fine save from keeper Aaron Warrick.

Penrhyncoch’s Mattie Davies had the ball in the net when charging down a kick, but his effort was ruled out for handball.

The breakthrough, however, arrived midway through the second half as the division one leaders found a way through their stubborn opponents and Davies turned a defender before firing low into the net.

Llanidloes fought back well, but a determined Penrhyn defence held firm to register a clean sheet and maintain their two point lead at the top.

PENRHYNCOCH: L Jenkins, E Evans, D James, E Edwards, J Foligno, A Nyhus, N Warren (D Evans 76), A Lemon (Mike Gornall 80), M Davies, Mark Gornall, M Mousley. Subs not used: M Evans, A Thomas, G Lewis.

LLANIDLOES: A Warrick, N Savage G Owen, L Powell, W Sherwood, M Savage, G Clarke, B Haralambous, RC Evans, E Clarke (C Proctor 75), J Evans. Subs (not used) R Evans, H Clarke.