PORTHMADOG twice hit back to salvage a 2-2 draw away at Conwy Borough - and they did it with 10 men in the second half at the Morfa last weekend.

Shortly before the half-time interval, defensive mainstay Iddon Price received his marching orders from referee Nathan Bartram, after acting on the advice of his assistant.

That decision, which left players and supporters totally dumbfounded, also gave the hosts a penalty, which Corrig McGonigle converted for an interval lead.

Early chances had seen Rob Evans break dangerously down the right, whilst Borough were looking to hit on the break and it needed a well judged intervention from Josh Banks to halt Cory Williams.

Port’s Iwan Lewis went close with a thumping shot, Josh Banks met Ifan Emlyn’s corner, only to see his header fly over, and, in a break down the left, Ilan ap Gareth had his powerful shot blocked.

Ben Heald also saved well at his near post to deny Rob Evans, and when Mel McGinness and Iwan Lewis were both yellow carded in a low key incident it was a clear sign of what was to transpire.

As the game was drifting to a goalless first-half scoreline, Iddon Price was given his marching orders, and McGonigle converted his chance for the interval lead.

Porthmadog readjusted, with Rob Evans switching to full back and Josh Banks, who was putting in another top class performance, moved to central defence.

The 10-men pushed forward from the start of the second half and an audacious attempt to lob the keeper by John Owen saw the ball go the wrong side of the post.

Paul Pritchard had to pull off a good save to keep out dangerous McGonigle, but the home goal came under increasing pressure and two forwards sliding in were inches away from Evans’ low cross.

The deserved equaliser arrived when the ball fell loose for John Owen to coolly direct the ball into an unguarded net.

Conwy had a goal disallowed for offside, but Port’s hopes took a serious dent when the ball was given away in midfield and pacy sub Liam Morris broke left and his low angled shot beat Pritchard for 2-1.

Almost immediately John Owen raced behind the home defence and unleashed a powerful shot which Heald kept out .

The pressure continued, however, and when Josh Banks drove goalwards, a melee in the goalmouth saw substitute Rhys Alun in the right place at the right time to belt the ball over the line and secure the visitors a well-deserved point.

PORT: P Pritchard, T Ifan, J Banks, C James, I Price, I Emlyn, I Lewis, M McGinness (R Alun 76’), J Owen, I ap Gareth, R Evans. Subs: J Littlemore, T Williams. S Parry G Thomas.

CONWY: B Heald, D Jones, A Pritchard (S Hogan 70’), T Clarke, R Jones, S Macaffrey, C Whelan (L Craven 83’), C Williams (L Morris 70’), C McGonigle, I Galeotti, I Hughes.