Ten-man Penrhyncoch’s hopes of survival in the Huws Gray Cymru Alliance were dealt a major blow after suffering a 2-1 defeat at fellow strugglers Llanrhaeadr.

Having picked up four points in their previous two outings, the Roosters headed to Treflan looking to continue their escape route, despite fielding a patched-up side.

Yet, despite taking an early lead through Steff Davies, second half goals from home captain Iwan Vaughan and Khyam Wyton turned the game, either side of Jonathan Evans’ dismissal on the hour, following two yellow cards.

Defeat kept Penrhyn five points adrift of safety with eight games remaining, as they gear up for another testing encounter against in-form Prestatyn Town at Cae Baker on Saturday (2.30pm).

“It’s going to take something remarkable to keep us up, we’re looking doomed, but we will keep going,” said Penrhyn boss Gari Lewis.

“We’ve got Prestatyn, Bangor and Airbus in our next three games, so it definitely doesn’t get any easier for us.

“But I’ve got to give credit to Llanrhaeadr, who have won their big games this season, and it’s not been easy for them playing all their home games away at Llansantffraid, on a pudding of a pitch.

“They showed a bit more mental strength, but again decisions didn’t go for us, and I felt Jonathan Evans’ sending off was crucial.

“When you look at some of the other incidents, Jonathan was hard done by, but that’s the way it has been going. We’ve had no luck with injuries, and no help from the officials, it’s been tough.”

Lewis was unable to bring in a replacement for injured keeper Leigh Jenkins, who is out with a broken bone in his lower leg, and Cledan Davies continued between the posts.

Luke Sherbon failed a fitness test before the game and new striker Lee Healey - who was a replacement for the injured Carl Lamb - was unable to play because of his daughter being in hospital.

To further add to their problems, Nashawn Blake went off with concussion early in Saturday’s encounter.

Matt Mouseley is away for the next few weeks, and Antonio Corbisiero is struggling with a groin injury, leaving Lewis desperately looking to bring in a couple of new faces in time for the weekend’s clash against Prestatyn.

The Roosters went ahead on 17 minutes with a well worked goal as Jon Foligno flicked on a free kick from Corbisiero and Steff Davies fired into the bottom corner.

Evans then had a low effort deflected around the post six minutes later, while at the other end Wyton and Iwan Matthews both went close.

Penrhyn made a strong start to the second half, and Evans saw his effort blocked by the feet of keeper Jimmy Haynes after breaking through.

From almost going 2-0 up, they were pegged back on 52 minutes as a free kick from Sam Thomas was well saved by Davies, but Vaughan headed home the rebound.

Their cause was not helped when they were reduced to 10 men as Evans was shown a second yellow for a foul on Wyton just past the hour.

With a one man advantage, Llan took the lead on 68 minutes as Wyton capitalised on some defensive hesitation, and there was no way back.

PENRHYNCOCH (v Llanrhaeadr): C Davies, A Corbisiero (M Mousley 72), S James, J Foligno, T Evans, J Rimmer, O James, J Shaw, N Blake (C Williams 33 [A Thomas 80]), J Evans, S Davies. Subs not used: L Sherbon, G Lewis.