MANAGER Gari Lewis admitted his Penrhyncoch side need to dig deep after their worrying run of form in the Huws Gray Cymru Alliance continued with a 3-0 defeat away at Guilsfield - their fifth straight defeat.

Two goals from Guils player-boss Danny Barton and a free kick from Chris Cathrall had the hosts three-up at half time, a lead they never looked likely to relinquish.Penrhyn were without Josh Shaw, Antonio Corbisiero, Liam Doherty, who are all injured, along with the unavailable Sion James, the suspended Jon Foligno and summer signing Florin Burcea, who is still unavailable to play.

“We are in a real dogfight early doors, there’s no hiding away from it,” said Lewis, whose side remain third-bottom, with just four points from eight outings.

“We’re struggling for form, fitness and confidence, and it’s tough for a few players at the moment. We’re conceding goals in clumps, and don’t look like scoring.

“We need to get back on the training ground and work hard to put things right, which we haven’t been able to do in the last few weeks, due to midweek games.

“This season it’s been like stepping up two leagues, it’s such is the gulf, and we need to improve vastly to bridge the gap.

“We’ll do everything we can to stay in the league, and once we get injured players back, I’m sure we’ll be a different team.

“I am also looking to bring in a couple of new signings this week, and I have got a few irons in the fire at the moment.”

Despite an even first 20 minutes, the home side emerged worthy winners after striking three times before the interval.

Aiming to bounce back from a 3-2 midweek defeat to Llanfair United, the Guils never looked back after going ahead on 31 minutes when Calum Bromley’s right wing cross was met by player-boss Barton to flick home his first goal of the season.

Guilsfield doubled their lead just three minutes later when Chris Cathrall marauded down the flank and fired home.

The game was over as a contest on 40 minutes when Barton met a cross from Jack Richards to make it 3-0 at half time.

The Roosters huffed and puffed in the sunshine in the second half, but rarely threatened to reduce the arrears after the break as they suffered another barren day.

Earlier in the week, Penrhyn again drew a blank in a 2-0 loss to Caersws at Cae Baker - their third league defeat at home.

The Bluebirds took the spoils through a Mark Griffiths header following a swift raid on 70 minutes, and a last minute penalty from Sean Evans, which saw Jon Foligno sent off for a foul on the last man.

The Roosters now face a crucial trip to basement side Ruthin Town on Saturday, their hosts having picked up just one point from eight outings this term.

PENRHYNCOCH (v Guilsfield): L Jenkins, E Evans, M Mousley, D James (A Lemon 55), D Evans (H Horwood 55), O James, J Rimmer, S Meredith, D Carruthers, M Gornall, G Mansell (G Lewis 80) Subs: A Thomas, K Jenkins.