PORTHMADOG contributed to their own downfall as indiscipline and basic errors led to a shock 3-1 defeat at home against rock-bottom Llanfair United in the JD Cymru North last weekend.

A first half strike by Karl Seliaerts gave the visitors something to defend, but they took advantage of a couple goalkeeping errors to seal just their second victory of the season - after Port had been reduced to 10 men from the 55th minute with Jay Gibbs’ second booking.

“It’s nowhere near good enough,” admitted manager Craig Papirnyk. “We’ve suffered real lows this season, and it has put us in the position we find ourselves in.

“There are no excuses from myself, staff and my players, as a group we are accountable and responsible for these results and performances.

“We have fallen well short of the standards we set, and we are letting ourselves, the club, volunteers and supporters down - but we will not give up hope, we’ll keep fighting and working hard to make sure we do our best to remain in this league.”

The visitors took early advantage of a stiff wind on their backs, but at the other end a Josh Banks header went close and two efforts by were Jamie McDaid blocked.

After a quarter of an hour, however, Seliaerts burst forward into space and he fired low into the far corner of the net for the opening goal.

Going behind seemed to unsettle Port, and in the opening half visiting keeper Mark Richards remained untested. At the other end, Seliaerts’ corners put the home defence under real pressure, with goalkeeper Richard Harvey tipping a Gethin Jones header over the bar.

Manager Craig Papirnyk sent his team out early to prepare for the second period, and the opening minutes of the half suggested that there was better to come.

Jamie McDaid curled a shot narrowly over, and a minute later Iwan Lewis forced keeper Mark Richards into a good save at his near post.

Ten minutes into the second half, however, a moment of indiscipline reduced Port to 10 men as Gibbs received his marching orders after being shown two yellow cards within seconds of each other by referee Charlton Fleming.

Port changed formation to play three at the back, but it became more difficult now to cover Llanfair’s quick breaks. Twice Iddon Price rescued Port with excellent last-ditch interventions, but as the half wore on the visitors started to push on.

A high ball was crossed into the box, which Harvey failed to gather cleanly and Alun Hughes took advantage to net from close range.

It got even worse for Port when a slip by Harvey from a back pass allowed Josh Astley to nip in and tap into an empty net to make it 3-1.

Ten-man Port battled back, and Cai Jones forced keeper Richards into a good save.

A minute later, Shaun Cavanagh made it six goals in four games since returning to the club. His cleanly hit shot from the edge of the penalty box deserved to be more than a mere consolation on a chaotic afternoon.

Cai Jones also forced a point blank save from Richards, but it was all academic.

PORTHMADOG Richard Harvey, Rob Evans, Tomos Emlyn, Iddon Price, Josh Banks, Ceri James, Jay Gibbs, Iwan Lewis, Cai Jones, Jamie mcdaid, Shaun Cavanagh, Subs: Dan Roberts, Berian Rhys, Matthew Roberts, John Owen. Red: Jay Gibbs (2 yellows 55’) Yellow: Cai Jones 37’

LLANFAIR: Mark Richards, Alun Hughes, Matthew Bumford, Rhys stephens, Gethin Stephens, Mat Spencer, James Mc veigh (Tom Gregory 90’), Gethin Jones, Josh Astley (Ryan Evans 86), Karl Seliaerts, Rob Bumford. Unused: Jon Richards.Yelloe: Gethin Jones 20’, Jmie McVeigh 62’

Referee: Conor Charlton-Fleming. Attendance: 179