PENRHYNCOCH manager Gari Lewis admitted that his side could have no complaints after slipping to a 3-0 loss at in-form side Porthmadog, to remain just outside the basement places in the Cymru Alliance.

Sion Bradley’s 21st minute strike separated the sides at the break, before two goals in six minutes after the interval through Ifan Emlyn and substitute Iwan Lewis earned the hosts the points.

The Roosters battled hard on a wet surface at the Traeth but, without three key players, they ended up well beaten on the day by their in-form hosts.

“It was a tough day for us, Porthmadog are a very good, slick outfit, and we were beaten by the better side,” admitted the Penrhyncoch manager.

“We were without some key players, and had some walking wounded out there as well, so it was always going to be difficult against a team like Porthmadog.

“We gave it a go before and after half-time, but lacked the energy we’ve shown in a lot of games this season, and were not on it.”

Having kept their flag flying in the Welsh Cup, the Roosters made the trip to the Traeth in good heart to tackle a Port outfit who had bagged 10 goals against FC Penley the previous week.

The Traeth men were soon in their stride with Joe Chaplin heading narrowly wide, and Bradley then forced a fine save from keeper Leigh Jenkins, who was back between the posts following a one match ban.

The hosts made the breakthrough on 21 minutes when skipper Rob Evans launched a mazy run into the box, before slipping the ball to Bradley, who turned to fire in from eight yards.

This spurred the Roosters and they had a chance when Jon Evans pounced on a loose ball, only to be denied by keeper Richard Harvey, while Jon Foligno headed an Antonio Corbisiero free kick over the bar.

After the break, Liam Lewis was foiled by a goalline clearance from Ifan Emlyn, and then Jon Evans brought an excellent save from Harvey after cutting into the box from a corner.

Tempers frayed following some strong tackling, before Porthmadog struck twice in quick succession to wrap up the three points.

Ifan Emlyn doubled the advantage when drilling a fine low shot from 20 yards into the corner of the net, and then Iwan Lewis notched a third goal moments later from close range after Jenkins had parried a strike from Julian Williams.

Having slipped to fourth-from-bottom, Penrhyn now face a big home showdown with struggling Queens Park on Saturday (2.30pm).

The Wrexham visitors lie second-from-bottom, seven points adrift of Penrhyn, with just one win to their name in 11 league outings.

“After beating Airbus early on, they have tailed off, but they will be scrapping for their lives,” said Lewis.

“It’s a vital game for us, but I don’t want to put too much pressure on us. We will prep well, and hope to get some injured lads fit.

“The table’s tight, if we can pick up three points, it will put us in a good place.”

Forward Steff Davies is still struggling with a groin injury that kept him out of the Porthmadog game, but midfielder Rob Murfet is set to return after his one match ban, along with Nashawn Blake who was unavailable.

Defender Jon Foligno faces a check on a back spasm, and Jon Evans has been hampered by a groin injury.

PORTHMADOG: R Harvey, T Emlyn, J Banks, D Roberts, T Taylor, R Evans (J Williams 46 minutes), I Emlyn, I Price, C Jones (I Lewis 67), J Chaplin (M Williams 79), S Bradley. Unused substitutes: L Doran, G Jones Evans, J Jones.

PENRHYNCOCH L Jenkins, E Evans, C Davies, S James, J Foligno, O James, C Jones (N Warren 86), A Corbisiero, M Mousley (S Meredith 86), J Evans, L Lewis. Unused subs: G Lewis, D Reynolds, K Jenkins. Attendance: 252.