PORTHMADOG slipped to their first defeat of the season as Rhyl registered a well-deserved 3-1 victory at the Traeth - and to add to Port’s woes they lost forward Julian Williams with a suspected broken collar-bone after 20 minutes.

Rhyl had made the perfect start when James Murphy’s low cross to the far post was touched in from close range by Mike Pritchard with just four minutes gone.

Porthmadog responded well, with Rory Crowther needing to make a good save to keep out Julian Williams’ angled effort.

Rhyl, however, had chances to increase their advantage, and Murphy chipped a shot over the bar when well placed, and forced Paul Pritchard into a decent save. Mike Pritchard intercepted a loose pass, but fired over, but then the hosts applied the pressure, with Iwan Lewis turning Rob Evans’ near post cross inches wide.

Warren Duckett, who had replaced the injured Julian Williams, failed to get enough power on his header from Ifan Emlyn’s ball into the box, but at the other end Pritchard’s outstretched hand diverted Murphy’s cross from the danger area.

Rhyl came close to repeating the dose with an early goal second half as well as James Murphy’ angled shot hit the post. Then in the 55th minute Joe Culshaw lifted a high free kick into the box, and Max Peate sent a looping header over everyone, dropping in the corner of the net.

It was a cruel blow for Porthmadog, but despite the two-goal margin they pushed on and had a good period of pressure.

Dale Davies, after coming on for his debut, met a Sion Edwrads free kick, but his header drifted wide, and then Jay Gibbs saw a shot from 18 yards rattle the bar. The rebound, however, set up the goal opportunity which Gruff John took, thundering a shot into the net from 12 yards.

Porthmadog for a period were right back in the game. Iwan Lewis, who was again prominent, controlled well down the right and his dangerous low cross was somehow scrambled away for a corner.

But any thoughts of a comeback were quelled in the 81st minute when Gareth Partridge latched on to a partially cleared cross from the left and fired a cracker from 18 yards to make it 3-1 to the visitors.

Port kept going to the end and in added time Iwan Lewis fired a shot over the bar, but Rhyl held on take the three points.

PORTHMADOG: Paul Pritchard, Gruff J Williams, Ceri James, Iddon Price, Ryan Taylor. Ifan Emlyn. Iwan Lewis, Jay Gibbs (Dan Dascalu 76’), Rob Evans (Dale Davies 56’), Sion Edwards, Julian Williams (Warren Duckett 21’). Unused subs:Josh Banks, Tomos Emlyn. Yellow: Ceri Jmaes 17’.

RHYL: Rory Crowther, Joe Culshaw, Gareth Partridge, Max Peate, Liam Smith, Danny Sullivan (Hartley 90+), Kristian Pierce, Dave McIntyre, Barry Torrance (Aaron Hassall 89’), Mike Pritchard, James Murphy (Matthew Worrall 73’). Unused subs: Matt Cook, j Hill-Dunt.

Referee: Arron Wyn Jones (Deganwy). Attendance: 306