Ilan ap Gareth’s first goal since joining Porthmadog on loan from Cefn Druids proved enough to secure the points in atrocious conditions in a 1-0 Cymru Alliance win against Conwy Borough.

A swirling, near gale force wind and driving rain made life diffiult for both teams and, with the weather deteriorating further in the second period, it was not surprising that play became scrappy.“It was a very good win for us today, and credit to Conwy who made it very difficult and pushed us all the way," said Porthmadog manager Craig Papirnyk."The boys showed character, desire and endeavour to get the win, and it was another clean sheet and three points.” Port had got off to a good start and after three minutes Julian Williams slipped Sion Edwards in with a neat through ball but, in a one to one, keeper Ben Heald was off his line quickly to block the shot.

The visiting keeper pulled off another great save to deny Julian Williams, who also saw a shot deflected for a corner, whilst a slick exchange put Bryan Roberts in, but his well-struck shot hit the post.

The breakthrough came in the 15th minute when a good break down the right by Rob Evans saw him drill a low ball to the near post, where Ilan ap Gareth responded well by turning the ball into the net.

Sion Edwards was a threat down the flanks, and Gruff John met his free kick, but Heald got down to grab the header. Edwards fired a dangerous ball across the face of goal and provided Williams with a headed chance which went wide.

A clever low free kick from Conwy’s Corrig McGonigle saw keeper Paul Pritchard dive to his left to pull off a fine save to preserve the lead at the interval.

After the restart Sion Edwards found Julian Williams in the box, but Heald made a great save, beating the ball away.

Ilan ap Gareth pulled a ball back for Iwan Lewis, who fired straight at the keeper, and at the other end Pritchard turned a McGonigle free kick for a corner.

Conwy sub Leigh Craven also fired over, and top scorer McGonigle saw his shot deflected for a corner, before his promising lob dropped on the crossbar.

Port’s defence, however, held firm to secure a clean sheet for their 14th win of the season, to close in on the top two sides.

PORTH: P Pritchard, C J Williams, I Price (C James), M Sharples, T Emlyn, I Emlyn, I Lewis, R Evans, I Gareth, J Williams, S Edwards (S Parry 84’). S: K Hilditch, C Papirnyk.

CONWY BORO: B Heald, N Williams, G Hughes (L Craven 68’), I Hughes, A Marshall, A Pritchard, B Roberts, T Creamer, D Seager, C McGonigle, L Thomas (J Corey 77’). Unused sub: G Jones. Referee: JA Jones. Att: 205.