PENRHYNCOCH failed to ground Huws Gray Cymru Alliance high fliers Airbus UK, despite a gritty display at Cae Baker - and they now quickly turn their focus to a crucial trip to Caersws tonight (Wednesday).

Without key forwards Jonathan Evans and Steff Davies, the Roosters were up against it against the still unbeaten Wingmakers, but they showed plenty of promise nonetheless.

Manager Gari Lewis will be hoping his two front men will return to face the Bluebirds this evening as he chases much needed points. Evans missed out through work, while Davies is looking to shake off a thigh strain.

“After Caersws on Wednesday, we’ve then got Rhyl at home on Saturday, so we’ve got a tough spell coming up,” said the Penrhyn boss.

“We’re hopeful that one, if not both, will come back in for Wednesday, which will make a big difference.”

Lewis added: “When you’re missing two of the best strikers in the league in Jonathan and Steff, we knew it was going to be tough offensively for us, but there still were positives to take.

“I thought we gave a good impression, and to concede a third goal at the end was harsh on us. They are a good side, looked strong playing down the slope in the first half, and we were punished for switching off on two occasions in the first half.

“Leigh Jenkins made a few good saves, but they never really opened us up, and in the second half we came back, and had a lot more possession.”

Airbus, eyeing a swift return to the Welsh Premier after last season’s relegation, arrived at Cae Baker looking to reel off a fourth straight win.

They underlined their title credentials as they dominated the early exchanges, and got their noses in front on 26 minutes when Alfons Fosu-Mensah got his head to a right-wing cross and the ball fell for Pavel Vieira to fire the ball home from 12 yards.

Leigh Jenkins then made a fine one-handed save to keep out a fierce Fosu-Mensah shot, and Ryan Edwards sent another effort straight at the keeper.

The home stopper made another fine save from a Kristian Platt free-kick, before Stef Edwards was brought down in the box by Owain James, and Aaron Bowen made no mistake in slotting home the penalty.

After the break, the Roosters had more of the game, with Antonio Corbisiero pulling the strings in midfield, but they struggled to find a way through a solid backline, despite one good opening for Nashawn Blake.

Their fate was sealed four minutes from time when substitute Ronny Song’s shot rebounded for Fosu-Mensah to score his sixth league goal of the season so far from close range.

All eyes are now on Wednesday night’s trip to Caersws, but Matt Mousley could again miss out with a back spasm for Perhyncoch.

PENRHYNCOCH: L Jenkins, E Evans, C Jones, J Foligno, S Meredith (R Garner 68 minutes), L Lewis, A Corbisiero, S James, O James, R Murfet, N Blake. Subs not used: E Edwards, G Lewis.