PENRHYNCOCH picked up another useful point in their HG Cymru Alliance survival fight with a pleasing 1-1 draw at home to second-placed Caernarfon Town.

After back-to-back wins against basement rivals Llanfair United and Conwy United, the Roosters continued their resurgence by earning a share of the spoils against one of the league’s big guns.

Jonathan Evans gave the hosts an interval lead at Cae Baker, but the Cofis hit back to earn a share of the spoils when Kevin Lloyd came off the bench to head home a Nathan Craig cross on 61 minutes.

The draw sees Penrhyn move up to 11th place, just two points off ninth spot, and they will look to continue their improved fortunes in Saturday’s big trip to struggling Buckley, who lie second bottom.

“The table’s still amazingly tight, and I said all along that it will go to the wire,” said Penrhyncoch manager Gari Lewis.“It looks good going up a notch or two in the table, but a couple of bad results and we’re back down there. With perhaps four clubs going down this season, it’s going to be a real battle for us to stay up.”

Lewis had mixed feelings after the draw, but was satisfied with the final outcome.

“For us to go toe to toe with a great club like Caernarfon, with its size and stature, says a lot about us,” Lewis commented.

“I was chuffed with the performance of all 11 players today, and Corbs (Antonio Corbisiero) was magnificent in the middle of the park on his return from injury.

“It was a great day for the club. We had great support, and the Cofis army were there in numbers, and in the end a draw was probably a fair result for both sides.”

Penrhyn began the match in confident manner, pushing Town back in the early stages as they forced three corners in quick succession, while also having a strong penalty appeal turned down.

Caernarfon started to settle, with Danny Brookwell threatening when he latched onto a Jamie Breese pass, but his low effort from 10 yards was dealt with comfortably by home goalkeeper Leigh Jenkins.

The keeper was called into action moments later when denying Brookwell again, before diving to keep out Jay Gibbs’ volley from the edge of the penalty area.

Despite enjoying plenty of possession, the home defence was stretched on several occasions, with Evans and the returning Corbisierio showing plenty of intent.

It was Evans who broke the deadlock when he picked the ball up just inside the penalty area, before turning smartly and striking past keeper Alex Ramsey with a low shot effort into the bottom corner.

Breese went close when getting past his marker before striking goalwards, but again keeper Jenkins was up to the task as he tipped the ball onto the woodwork.

The Cofis came out for the second half, and got back on level terms a minute past the hour mark when Lloyd did well to get his head to a Craig delivery, which found the top left hand corner of his net.

Lloyd then went close to putting his side ahead minutes later when he beat two defenders, before shooting just wide.

The hosts, however, were still very much in the game and goalscorer Evans was inches away from regaining the lead, firing a powerful 20-yard effort just wide.

Caernarfon pressed forward late on, but were kept at bay by a determined home rearguard action as honours ended even.

PENRHYNCOCH (v Caernarfon): L Jenkins, M Mousley, S James, J Foligno, M Gornall, J Shaw, O James, A Corbisiero, L James, E Evans, J Evans. Subs not used: D Carruthers, L Doherty, H Horwood, G Mansell, A Lemon.