DEPLETED Penrhyncoch picked up a gutsy 1-1 draw against in-form Guilsfield at Cae Baker to boost their hopes of Huws Gray Cymru Alliance survival.

Liam Doherty gave the Roosters the perfect start with a fourth minute opener - his first goal for the club since joining from Aberystwyth Town's development squad - before Andy Ford put the Guils level midway through the half.

That was how the scoring stayed in heavy conditions, with the home side digging deep to ensure a share of the spoils that saw them move six points clear of the bottom three.

With six players missing through suspension and injury, player boss Gari Lewis praised his charges for their display against the in-form Guils.

"Every point is vital in this league, and we’re now six points clear of Caersws who we meet in a few weeks," he said.

"I don’t think any club in this league could cope with having six players out, but again we showed a lot of belief and character.

"Guilsfield are a very slick outfit who carry a lot of threat going forward, but we had a gameplan, and we showed we can compete against the top sides in the league.

"After we went ahead, they dominated the next half hour or so, but we hung in there, and caused them problems in the second half. It was a bit nervy, both sides had their chances, and in the end I think a draw was a fair outcome."

Penrhyn take a break from the league with a trip to Spar Mid Wales League high fliers Welshpool Town in the third round of the Central Wales Cup on Wednesday, before again hitting the road to Gresford Athletic in the Cymru Alliance on Saturday.

Sion Meredith, Sion James and Rob Murfet are eligible again after their suspensions, but Steff Davies, Nashawn Blake and Antonio Corbisiero are still injured

Meanwhile, the Roosters have bolstered their squad by signing Niall Coleridge from Aberystwyth Town’s under-19s Development Squad, with the central midfielder making his mark as a second half substitute against Guilsfield.

Penrhyn made the perfect start against the Guils lead when Doherty produced a neat finish to fire in the rebound after Jonathan Evans’ chipped effort had been turned onto the bar by keeper Andy Wycherley.

After that, the Guils lay siege to the home goal for the next half hour, and were back on terms on 24 minutes as a neat build-up involving Callum Bromley and Asa Hamilton ended with Ford firing home.

Penrhyn steadied the ship after the break, with Doherty and Evans having their chances, while the Guils also looked a threat on the flanks.

PENRHYNCOCH (v Guilsfield): L Jenkins, E Evans, J Foligno, C Jones, C Davies, L Lewis, M Mousley, O James, N Warren (N Coleridge 65), J Evans, L Doherty. Subs not used: G Lewis, W Mills.