A LATE leveller from Liam Lewis rescued a valuable Huws Gray Alliance point for Penrhyncoch against 10-man Prestatyn Town at Bastion Gardens.

Looking to bounce back from their midweek loss to Llanrhaeadr, the Roosters found Town a tough nut to crack despite their hosts having Diego Alvarado sent off after just six minutes.

A stunning strike from Chris Bennett gave Prestatyn the lead seven minutes before half time, while the Seasiders also lost keeper Ryan Woods through injury in the second half.

Penrhyn huffed and puffed, but it did not look to be their day before they finally found a way through in the last minute when Lewis headed home at the far post from a Craig Williams cross.

After the 1-1 draw, manager Gari Lewis praised the efforts of his side, who persevered against stubborn opponents on a bobbly surface.

"It was a scrappy game, and it can often difficult playing against 10 men," he said."We struggled to get any real rhythm, we looked a bit low on confidence and snatched at the final ball into the box. It looked like being one of those days, but we kept going and got a good point in the end which we fully deserved."

The Roosters have no game on Saturday following their exit in the Huws Gray Cup, before embarking on a mouthwatering couple of weeks when they visit high flying Airbus Broughton before welcoming Bangor City to Cae Baker the week after.

Without Jonathan Evans, Antonio Corbisiero, Josh Shaw and Steff Davies, Penrhyn were boosted by the quicker than expected return of Luke Sherbon from a calf injury.

Sherbon showed his worth with a man-of-the match display against Prestatyn, while the midfielder was also involved in the early skirmish that saw Alvarado red carded after just six minutes.

The Roosters, despite enjoying plenty of ball as they played with the wind at their backs in first half, struggled to carve many openings, although Carwyn Jones went close.

But the visitors were stunned seven minutes before half time when Bennett crashed home a stunning 35-yard half volley.

Prestatyn were forced to reshuffle early in the second half when keeper Woods picked up a knock, with defender Ciran Jones taking over between the posts.

Despite down to 10 men and having a stand-in keeper, the home side looked relatively comfortable with the elements in their favour.

Casey Faulkner brought a smart save from Oli Farebrother who made some good stops, including one in the dying moments to preserve the point.

The Roosters were struggling to find an opening against their spirited hosts, but the introduction of subs Liam Doherty and Ieuan Brooks gave them some greater zest.

With time running out, they finally grabbed a leveller a minute from time when Lewis pounced at the far post from Williams’ delivery.

The point helped to ease the disappointment of their midweek 1-0 home loss to Llanrhaeadr who themselves ended a three match losing streak with a Kyham Wytton goal right on half time.

Despite dominating the second half playing down the slope, the Roosters failed to find a way through determined visitors despite their efforts."If we had got the first goal, I’m sure we would have gone on to win, but Llanrhaeadr are a gutsy side and it was not to be," reflected the Penrhyncoch boss.

PENRHYNCOCH (v Prestatyn Town): O Farebrother, L James, S James, J Foligno, C Davies, L Sherbon, O James (L Doherty 60), C Williams, T Evans (I Brooks 80), C Jones, L Lewis. Subs not used: E Evans, M Mousley.