PENRHYNCOCH boss Gari Lewis warned that his side will need to be on top of their game as they prepared to travel to The New Saints in the third round of the JD Welsh Cup tonight (Friday, ko 7.45pm).

The Saints have dominated the competition in recent years, lifting the prestigious trophy three times, before losing to Bala in last season’s final.

It will be an unenviable task on the 3G pitch at Park Hall, and manager Lewis is under no illusion about the challenge his side will face against the reigning Welsh Premier League champions.

"If we can win, it will be one of the biggest upsets in Welsh football, but we’ll go there with a game plan and look to give it a good go," said the Penrhyn boss.

"We’ll have to decide whether to be defensive our be more brave, but one thing is sure, we will need everyone to have the games of their lives."

The Roosters head to Oswestry without injured striker Steff Davies, but it is hoped fellow front man Jonathan Evans will return after being unavailable last weekend.

The Penrhyn manager had mixed feelings as his side were held to a 1-1 draw at lowly Llandudno Junction last weekend, in their battle to steer clear of basement danger in the Huws Gray Cymru Alliance.

The result sees the Roosters remain fourth from bottom in the table, but they are now five points above the bottom three places, following defeats for Caersws and Queens Park.

Already without the unavailable Jonathan Evans, they had to dig deep after the loss of fellow forward Steff Davies, who faces up to 10 weeks on the sidelines after tearing his hamstring.

Going ahead through Owain James’ headed goal on 20 minute, they had chances to extend the margin, before Dean Seagar earned parity for the lowly Seasiders on 65 minutes.

"We had chances to have won, but they could also have nicked it at the end, so it was one of those games when you come away with mixed feelings," said Lewis.

"It’s a difficult place to go and, with a couple of the teams below us losing, it could still be an important point come the end of the season.

"It was a tough day with us losing Steff Davies, who has done so well for us. But the boys dug in against a decent side who are far better than their league position suggests.

"We will take the positives into the match against The New Saints."

Meanwhile Saints’ manager Scott Ruscoe said that his side will be taking nothing for granted against their Ceredigion visitors as they continue their chase for honours on four fronts.

The New Saints won their game in hand 3-1 at Cefn Druids on Tuesday night to surge five points clear at the top of the Welsh Premier League.

Ruscoe says he is keen for his side to add a Welsh Cup run, having already reached League Cup Final and the Irn-Bru Scottish League Cup semi-finals.

“Traditionally, we do well in December and January,” said Ruscoe. “That’s what I hope will happen for the next few weeks.

“We’ve had a good Irn-Bru Cup run, which has helped us with our momentum and fitness, so technically and physically, I am happy where we are at the moment.

“We’ve reached another League Cup final, which we have done for the last three years, and we start the Welsh Cup on Friday."

He added: “People come to Park Hall and they want to beat us. When you’re full-time, you need to be on your game 100 per cent. Everyone wants to knock us off our perch.

“They will want a famous win at Park Hall, but we like to let our football do the talking."