DOLGELLAU made Spar Mid Wales League division one outfit Llanidloes Town battle all the way to set up a trip to local rivals Caersws in the quarter-finals of the Central Wales Cup with a 3-1 triumph in their rearranged tie.

The Daffs had to come from behind, with Dominic Thomas opening the scoring for Dolgellau, before Matthew Savage’s header levelled matters, and goals after the break by Rhys Evans and Joe Evans sealed a battling win.

Indeed, it was a tale of two halves in a scrappy affair, with Dolgellau shading the opening period, and Llanidloes the second, with both sides struggling to find their rhythm at times.

In the first minute, Dennis Bates won a good challenge for the hosts in the midfield, with the ball breaking to David Edwards, who ran on, but saw his effort deflected out for a corner.

Llani’s Rhys Evans then forced a comfortable save from keeper Darren Andrews from a tight angle, but a minute later Dolgellau were in front.

After a ball over the top from Ryan Thomas, Edwards’ shot was saved by the goalkeeper, and Dominic Thomas poked the ball home from six yards.

Division two side Dolgellau looked comfortable, but then on the half hour Rhys Evans beat the home side’s offside trap, to be denied by Andrews.

On 38 minutes, however, Llani were level, as Josh Evans floated a free kick into the box, and Matthew Savage headed across goal and into the net.

At the start of the second half, Ryan Thomas sent Edwards clear, but his attempted chip was gathered comfortably by the visiting goalkeeper.

On 50 minutes, however, Joe Evans cut inside, forcing a save from Andrews, and a minute later Rhys Evans dribbled himself clear on goal, with Andrews saving from close in.

Six minutes later the Daffs made the breakthrough as a long ball out of defence caught Dolgellau napping, and Joe Evans beat the offside trap and squared the ball across goal for Rhys Evans to side foot into an empty net.

The confident visitors were now dominating possession, closing players down and winning the loose balls.

When Dominic Thomas blocked a clearance, however, he ran clear down the left and crossed to Ryan Thomas, who saw his six yard strike blocked.

The ball was cleared upfield and a mix-up in the home defence saw Joe Evans take advantage by rolling the ball into the empty net for a 3-1 win.