GARI Lewis admitted that his Penrhyncoch side face an increasingly tough battle for Huws Gray Cymru Alliance survival after being downed 3-0 at Gresford Athletic on Saturday.

The Roosters looked in the hunt at Clappers Lane, but the complexion of the game changed in the first half when key defender Jon Foligno was contentiously shown the red card.

Gresford took advantage of the extra man in the second half with goals from Tom Freeman, Owen Roberts and Sam Richardson, who rounded off the scoring in the last minute.

While the Latics moved up to third, it was a tough outcome for Penrhyn, who are four points off the relegation places, with plenty of work to do in the coming weeks to escape the drop.

Boss Lewis admitted Foligno’s sending off, for a tussle with an opponent, was a key moment in the game, and questioned the standard of refereeing.

“It was a yellow card at worst,” said Lewis. “The lad scraped his studs down Jon’s Achilles, and he turned around and grabbed him. It was hardly anything, and the decision to send him off totally changed the game.

“Up until then we were comfortable, looking like we could get something, but it was always going tough with 10 men, and with tiredness creeping in.

“Something needs to do done to improve the refereeing in the league. Young referees being watched by assessors is not the answer. We need to fast track ex-Welsh Prremier players or ex-pros with a feel for the game.”

Lewis admits his side are up against it, with injuries and suspensions not helping their fight for league survival.

“We’re having a horrendous amount of luck at the moment,” Lewis added.

“We had four key players out against Gresford, Jonathan Evans arrived late due to a family commitment, while we’ve also got a number of players who are carrying injuries.

“We know it’s going to be a battle to stay up. It’s tough, but we will give everything, and keep believing.”

Points will be hard-earned on Saturday as the Roosters host the league’s unbeaten high-fliers Prestatyn, who could virtually wrap up the league title with a victory at Cae Baker.

“Nobody will give us a chance, but we will look to upset the odds,” said Lewis. “They won 5-1 at Aberystwyth in the Welsh Cup, and were in Europe six or seven years ago, so it shows the kind of challenge that we can expect.

“We will give it our best shot, and there will be no shortage of effort. We will try a new defensive formation, with Jon Foligno suspended, and I may need to sign someone else.

“We only lost 4-3 to them away earlier in the season, and we need that kind of performance on Saturday.”

Foligno faces a four match ban having been sent off earlier in the season, and Owain James is also suspended.