GARI Lewis was in positive mood despite Penrhyncoch returning from Rhyl with little to show for the efforts following their 3-1 defeat at Belle Vue.

They had more than matched the Seasiders in the first half in their Huws Gay Cymru Alliance encounter, but were downed by three goals in a 12-minute spell soon after the break.

Defender Ben Nash scored twice on 51 and 63 minutes as the visitors failed to deal with set plays, his brace coming either side of a strike from James Murphy on 61.

Liam Lewis deservedly pulled one back 13 minutes from time but, despite finishing strongly, the spirited Roosters could not stave off a second defeat of the season.

"For 50 minutes we went toe to toe with Rhyl, but a crazy spell in the second half cost us," said manager Lewis.

"Although it was a loss, I still came away feeling very positive, and there were again some exceptional performances.

"The boys kept going, and when we got one back, Rhyl panicked, and we may have got something out of the game at the end.

"We’ve got six points from our first four games, we’re sitting in mid-table, and if I had been offered that at the start of the season, then I would have snapped your hand off.

"We’ve now got Flint at Cae Baker on Saturday. They have ambitions of being a Welsh Premier club, have a lot of quality on the pitch, and it will be another challenge for us - like every game is this season."

Skipper Owain James is back in contention after missing the first four games through suspension.

The Roosters are waiting on the availability of Josh Shaw, Jonathan Evans and Cledan Davies for Saturday’s visit of highly rated Flint Town United (2.30).

Sion James faces a check on a calf injury, while Steff Davies and Matt Mousley could be out for a few more weeks.

Penrhyn were very much in the hunt against Rhyl at the intervalm having frustrated their hosts with their well marshalled defending, while keeper Ollie Farebrother made a good stop to deny a Murphy strike.

But the complexion of the game soon changed after the break, with Rhyl capitalising from a set play as Max Peate headed a corner against the bar and his fellow defender Nash was on hand to force the ball in from close range.

Penrhyn set up about gaining an equaliser and had a good spell of pressure, but Murphy went close to a second when his 30-yard free kick was well tipped over by Farebrother.

But the hosts grabbed a crucial second goal in the 61st minute when a good interchange of passes between Kristian Pierce and Mike Pritchard set up Murphy whose low shot found the net.

Moments later a third goal arrived when Nash turned in a Joe Culshaw free kick to increased the margin.

Liam Lewis pulled one back on 77 minutes after some indecison in the Rhyl box, which was to spark a late spell of pressure from the visitors.

They pushed with Craig Williams seeing a deflected free kick saved by home keeper Rory Crowther and Liam Doherty shot wide in injury time.

Earlier in the week, the Roosters made it back-to-back wins when they overcame Guilsfield 3-0 at Cae Baker

A goal from Craig Williams separated the sides at the break, before Josh Shaw doubled their lead at the start of the second half with Williams netting his second and Penrhyn’s third after 66 minutes.

Penrhyncoch (v Rhyl): O Farebrother, S James (R Davies 75), J Foligno (I Brooks 85), E Evans (J Crowl 75), L James, L Sherbon, C Jones, T Evans, C Williams, L Doherty, L Lewis. Sub not used: A Corbisiero.