Jonathan Foligno’s first half header earned battling Penrhyncoch a precious three points on the road in Cymru North when prevailing 1-0 at newly promoted Llanfair United on Mount Field.

The defender headed in a Jonathan Evans’ corner on 21 minutes to secure the second victory on their travels for the Roosters in a closely fought encounter.

It was the perfect response after their narrow 2-1 defeat at home to Ruthin, and boss Gari Lewis admitted his Penrhyn side had to battle all the way.

“It was real blood and thunder game, with both sides going at it hammer and tongs, with lots of challenges and lots of headers,” Lewis said. “The pitch was difficult, and there was not a lot of quality or chances, but we looked tight, with Leigh Jenkins coming into his own in goal.

“We looked really good in the first half, but Llanfair threw the kitchen sink at us in the second half. They gave it everything in the last 10 minutes, but we hung on, and it was a tremendous win for us in the end.

“To win your first two away games really sets you up, but I won’t be getting too high as it’s very much early days.”

There was little between the sides for much of the night, with Foligno’s header from an inswinging corner midway through the first half proving decisive.

Steff Davies went close to doubling the advantage two minutes later, but was denied by a good save by Mark Richards, who also made another good stop with his legs to deny Davies again.

Llanfair were being kept at arm’s length in the first period, but carved an opening on the half hour when Karl Seliaerts’ cross skidded through the goalmouth, with no home forward able to supply a touch.

After the break, Jonathan Evans had an effort cleared off the line on 63 minutes after rounding Richards, but Llanfair were also looking increasingly dangerous.

They almost found a leveller on 77 minutes when Gethin Stephens headed over the bar after Gethin Jones had nodded the ball back from a Ben Jones free kick.

The hosts pushed late on for an equaliser, with Seliaerts having an effort deflected wide, but the well marshalled Roosters dug in to return with the three points.

Penrhyn, who had also won 2-1 at Llanrhaeadr, had no fixture on Saturday, before hosting Guilsfield this weekend.