NEW SIGNING Dean Evans marked his first outing in Penrhyncoch colours with a stunning strike to help his side clinch a thrilling 4-3 win at Welshpool, to stay top of the Spar Mid Wales division one.

Evans, who had joined the club from rivals Bow Street, made a telling contribution after appearing as substitute, when blasting home a volley from the edge of the box, to finally shake off the Lilywhites.

Victory took the Roosters two points clear at the top, with Llanrhaeadr in second place on goal difference from Carno, while Welshpool Town remain fourth.

“Dean’s a strong lad, and we brought him on with eight minutes to go, and he hoped to win the game with his presence and power,” said player-boss Gari Lewis.

“He’s a terrific talent, he needs to work on his fitness, but he has quality and showed great technique for his goal which was good enough to win any game.”

He added: “We’re still unbeaten in the league, which is a great accolade to have, and we showed what a good team we are.

“Fair play to Welshpool, they had a go, and didn’t sit back like a lot of sides do.

“The pitch was not good, but both sides wanted to play, and it was a tremendous advert for the Spar Mid Wales League.”

With Mattie Davies unavailable, defender Aiden Nyhus played up front for the Roosters, while Jon Foligno returned to the heart of defence, following illness.

Both sides had their chances in the opening stages, with captain Josh Shaw firing wide for the Roosters, while at the other end it needed a fine save from keeper Lee Jenkins to tip away a deflected effort.

Penrhyn were in front after 23 minutes when the impressive Nathan Warren headed in at the near post from a corner.

Nyhus made his mark in attack when adding a second before the break, but Pool hit back after the interval with two strikes from the lively Will Thomas, his second a stunning volley from 25 yards.

The visitors regained the lead when Warren lobbed his second of the game, only for Rob Cookson to head the home side back onto level terms once again.

The league leaders, however, were not to be denied when, two minutes from time, new signing Evans marked his appearance as substitute with a stunning volley that flew inside the goal stanchion to seal an important win for his new side.

The Roosters face a big trip to face Queen’s Park in the fifth round of the FAW Trophy on Saturday (1.30pm) with a place in the quarter-finals up for grabs.

Their Wrexham hosts are going well this season, lying third in the Welsh National League (Wrexham) premier division with eight wins, two defeats and two draws.

“It’s a tough game for us, we don’t know too much about them, but we can go there in confident mood,” said Lewis.

PENRHYNOCH: (v Welshpool): L Jenkins, E Evans, D James, Mike Gornall (D Evans 82), J Foligno, E Edwards (A Lemon 70), M Mousley, J Shaw, A Nyhus, Mark Gornall, N Warren.Subs not used: A Thomas, J Crowl, G Lewis.