Boss Gari Lewis has pledged to remain at the Penrhyncoch helm, despite hopes of survival in the Huws Gray Cymru Alliance fading further with 2-0 defeat to high-flying Airbus UK Broughton at rainswept Cae Baker.

With just six games to go, the Roosters are facing a real battle to escape relegation after falling seven points adrift of safety following basement rivals Denbigh Town’s 1-0 win at Guilsfield.

Lewis, however, insisted he is staying put as first team manager, even if his side drop down to the Mid Wales League division one next season.

“There have been lots of rumours going about that I will be stepping down at the end of the season and that I am going to a bigger club - but as far as I am concerned I will still be at my village club next season,” Lewis said.

“It will take a miracle for us to stay up now, there’s no getting away from that. We’re staring down the barrel now, but we still won’t be giving up, and we’ll keep going right to the end.

“If we do go down this summer, I will stay loyal to the club, look to rebuild in the summer and do my best to get us playing in this league again.”

Penrhyn were always up against it after runaway Cymru Alliance leaders Airbus took charge with two first half goals at a wet and windy Cae Baker.

The impressive Nathan Woolfe gave the Wingmakers a 16th minute lead, before they doubled their advantage on the half hour when Lewis Buckley headed in Asa Hamilton’s cross.

The Roosters improved after the break and had their moments in front of goal, but the damage was done in the first half as the visitors underlined their title credentials to move nine points clear at the top of the league.

As the weather deteriorated in the second half, Airbus were happy to sit in and preserve their two-goal lead, with visiting keeper Dave Roberts barely troubled by the home attack.

Airbus’ assistant manager Andy Thomas commented: “I felt that we dominated for the first half, and we could’ve been three or four up at the break if we’d been a bit more clinical.

“I felt that we won our battles all over the pitch and kept another clean sheet, which is 15 for the season now.

“With six games league left we’re in a really healthy position in the table, and we’re all focused on the run-in.”

Penrhyn manager Lewis was full of praise for their high-flying visitors.

“Airbus are a class outfit, but we were poor in the first half, with eight or nine lads off their game,” he said.

“We gave it a go in the second half, and had a couple of goalmouth incidents, but it was 45 minutes too late.”

Penrhyn are away to Bangor City on Saturday, with the venue to be confirmed as the Citizens are currently unable to play at their Nantporth base.

Matt Mousley and Nashawn Blake are both set to return for Penrhyncoch, who had gone down 2-0 to the Citizens at Cae Baker back in October.

PENRHYNCOCH (v Airbus UK): L Jenkins, T Evans, C Davies (O James 65 minutes), S James, J Foligno, A Corbisiero, J Rimmer, J Shaw, J Evans, S Davies, L Lewis (L Sherbon 80). Sub not used: S Meredith.