PENRHYNCOCH had to settle for a point after they twice relinquished the lead in an exciting Cymru Alliance clash with Ruthin at Cae Baker.

The hard-earned 2-2 draw sees the Roosters remain 11th, and in range of the mid-table sides, while the manner of the performance once again underlined the resolve of the home side.

Penrhyn can take confidence from their performance having led through Steff Davies, following a neat move, before Jon Foligno rattled the bar with a header during a spell of pressure.

After the hosts had ruled the roost in the first 20 minutes, Ruthin rallied for the rest of the half, and they levelled when Llyr Morris was brought down by Rob Murfet, and Morris stepped up to convert the penalty.

Both sides continued to carve out scoring chances, and the Roosters were back in front after the break, when Murfet’s shot found the net.

Ruthin then stepped up the pressure again, with Llyr Morris seeing a shot turned onto the bar, and Jordan MacCarter put an effort inches wide, before the visitors levelled matters for the second time through Will Owen, following a goalmouth scramble.

Home keeper Leigh Jenkins was then shown a red card for a foul after being deemed the last man when coming out of the box, with left back Cledan Davies taking over in goal, but Penrhyn held firm for the draw.

“As well as grit and determination, we played some lovely football at times,” said manager Gari Lewis who himself was sent to the stands for questioning the referee’s decisions.

“I think a point was fair on both sides. Both had their chances, both could have won, and it was a really good spectacle for those watching.

“We led twice, but Ruthin are a top side, and don’t know when they’re beaten. Both sides came back strongly and with everything that happened, we’ll take a point and move on.”

Lewis must now find a replacement for the suspended Jenkins when his side hit the road to Caerphilly Athletic in the Welsh Cup on Saturday.

He is weighing up his options, but could opt to play experienced campaigner Aneurin Thomas, who has played between the posts in the past.

Forwards Jonathan Evans and Steff Davies are doubts after picking up groin injuries, but Sion James and Nathan Warren are back in contention after being unavailable.

After their thrilling 4-3 extra time win over Swansea side Garden Village in the previous round, the Roosters anticipate another tricky outing against a side who play in the South Wales Alliance premier division.

“It’s another huge game for us,” added Lewis.“They are a decent side with a striker who is a handful, so it is a 50-50 game, like Garden Village.”

PENRHYN: L Jenkins, E Evans, J Foligno, C Jones, M Mousley, C Davies, R Murfet, O James, L Lewis (S Meredith 85), S Davies (Blake 84), J Evans (Corbisiero 75).