Penrhyncoch boss Gari Lewis praised an ‘immense effort’ from his walking wounded, after picking up a gutsy point in a goalless deadlock with Prestatyn Town at Cae Baker last weekend.

The draw kept alive hopes of Huws Gray Cymru Alliance survival, and Lewis admitted he could not have asked any more from his patched up outfit, which saw keeper Leigh Jenkins, Luke Sherbon, Jon Foligno and Antonio Corbisiero play the match with injuries.

Although they remain third form bottom, results were kind to the Roosters, who are now four points from safety with seven league games remaining.

They will now prepare to host high-flying Airbus UK Broughton, with forward Jonathan Evans returning from suspension, while Liam Lewis is also back in the fold.

“We had just 11 players, and four or five of those were playing with injuries, so to keep a clean sheet against a dangerous side like Prestatyn makes me feel incredibly proud,” said Lewis.

“I could not have asked for any more again. I feared the worst before the game, but their effort was immense. We put bodies on the line, and with a bit of luck, could have got the win.

“We had two or three good chances in the first half, and should have had a stonewall penalty in the second, but we’re not getting the big decisions.

“With the way the other results went, it keeps is in the mix, and we will keep fighting."We’ve now got Airbus, probably the champions-elect. They have lost their mojo a bit at the moment, but they’re still a strong outfit with a lot of quality players through their side.”

Penrhyn defended stoutly to repel Prestatyn’s early raids, scrambling clear a Dan Roberts header, while Jenkins, who was back between the posts despite a fracture of his shin, saved smartly from Oli Buckley, following a superb delivery from Ben Maher.

Daves Hayes also went close for the visitors from a set-piece and Chris Bennett fired wide, but the Roosters also went close to breaking the deadlock when Steff Davies struck the crossbar from a corner, and Jon Foligno was off target with another headed effort.

There was also little in it after the break, but the hosts were left disappointed after having strong claims for a spot kick turned down as Davies appeared to be bundled over in the box.

For Prestatyn, there were good chances for Oli Buckley and Ian Griffiths, who also felt that he was brought down in the box, but no penalty was given and the honours ended even.

Ahead of this Saturday’s match, the Roosters will run the rule over their injured troops, with Sherbon struggling with a thigh injury, Corbisiero a groin strain, and Foligno is soldiering on with a cracked bone in his foot.

Hopes of bringing striker Lee Healey to the club have failed to materialise, while forward Carl Lamb remains on the sidelines with a dislocated elbow.

PENRHYNCOCH: L Jenkins, T Evans, C Davies, S James, J Foligno, J Rimmer, A Corbisiero, S Davies, L Sherbon (S Meredith 80), J Shaw, N Blake. Substitutes, not used: G Lewis, O Keyworth.

PRESTATYN TOWN: R Roberts, C Bennett, J Hay, D Hayes (C), D Roberts, W Adam, B Maher, A White, I Griffiths, O Buckley, J Higgins. Subs: J Jones, M Taylor, N Hulme, S Duffy, R Woods.