DEFENCES dominated as a battling Penrhyncoch ground out a determined goalless draw at in-form Porthmadog in the JD Cymru North on Tuesday evening.

Both sides cancelled each other out, before resorting to long high balls as the frustration mounted, but a share of the spoils was a fair reward for both teams.

There were a couple of early efforts, with Porhmadog’s Ilan ap Gareth thumping a 20 yard shot, which forced Roosters’ keeper Leigh Jenims into a good save, whilst at the other end a shot from distance from Jonathan Evans flew wide.

There was a five minute hold-up while home keeper Paul Pritchard received treatment, having been knocked to the ground going up for a high corner ball.

The hosts tried efforts from Mel McGinness and a shot from Jay Gibbs which tested Jenkins, and for Penrhyn Jack Rimmer’s corners were a threat, whilst Pritchard got down low to save from Steff Gittins, cutting in from the left.

Towards the end of the half, the home keeper had to pull off a good save to push away a Tom Evans header, whilst the closest Port came to a goal was a burst from McGinness, but his shot went over.

Near to the interval, John Owen forced Jenkins into a good save at his near post, but the deadlock remained at half-time. Defences remained on top in the second half, as high balls into the box were dealt with, and there were no shots on target.

For Port there was a 30 yard Jay Gibbs free kick which went over the bar and in the closing stages John Owen carried to the edge of the box but he pulled wide.

The Roosters’ best move came when Gittins made a strong run down the left and Steff Davies lifted his shot over the bar, and Jonathan Evans also cut in from the left but again his strike went over.

PORTHMADOG: P Pritchard, R Evans, I Price, J Banks, T Emlyn, I Lewis, J Gibbs, I ap Gareth (R Alun 72 minutes), M McGinness, (S Parry 85’), J Owen, T Williams (J Livermore 65’). Unused subs: D Roberts, M Roberts.

PENRHYNCOCH: L Jenkins, J Rimmer, M Pemberthy, O James, S James, G Pugh-Jones, E Rees T Evans, S Davies (I Burrel 85’), J Evans, S Gittins. Subs: M Evans, C Morgan, A Thomas. S Meredith.. Ref: M James. Att: 231.LLANFAIR UNITED 1 PORTHMADOG 3PORTHMADOG had made it back-to-back victories last weekend with a convincing 3-1 victory at Llanfair United, to move within striking distance of the mid-table sides in the JD Cymru Premier table. The visitors applied the early pressure, with Mel McGinness’ shot being palmed away by Llanfair keeper Mark Richards - but it was totally against the run of play that the home team went ahead. A deep cross to the back post found Tom Gregory unmarked, and his finish was struck low across the keeper to make it 1-0 on 19 minutes.Porthmadog fought back well as Iwan Lewis, Jay Gibbs and Ilan ap Gareth started to pull the strings in midfield, before the visitors drew level on 25 minutes. A well-judged through ball from Iwan Lewis put John Owen in on goal, and the forward pushed on into the box to score a well-placed finish. Port were now in control and John Owen tested Richards, before McGinness pulled his shot wide, and Jay Gibbs had a strike blocked.With half-time approaching, midfield duo Ilan ap Gareth and Jay Gibbs combined well, with Jay Gibbs running on to a fine angled ball to lash it into the roof the net. Owen was twice put through on goal, with the keeper saving the first with his legs, and then firing inches the wrong side of the post. After the break, McGinness forced another save, and Ilan ap Gareth’s header flew wide as the visitors sensed victory. Richards kept out an Ilan ap Gareth free kick at full stretch, and pulled off a point blank save to keep out John Littlemore’s near post flick.The keeper also saved well at McGinness’s feet, but down the other end Toby Evans was denied by Paul Pritchard, and Alun Hughes fired over when well-placed.The game was in the balance until finally on 85 minutes the ball broke loose from Gibbs’ corner for Sion Parry to convert at the back post and secure another three points.LLANFAIR: M Richards, A Hughes, T Gregory, P Griffiths, G Stephens, R Stephens, M Bumford, R Bumford, G Jones, T Evans, A James. Subs: B Jones, D Kenyon, R McVeagh, K Seliaerts. Referee: JA Jones.PORTHMADOG: P Pritchard, R Evans, C James, J Banks, T Emlyn, I Lewis, J Gibbs, I ap Gareth, M McGinness (G Thomas 89’), J Livermore (S Parry 75’), J Owen (T Williams 89’). Unused subs: M Roberts, R Alun.