A LATE deflected strike from defender Iddon Price denied Penrhyncoch a precious win in the Huws Gray Cymru Alliance as Porthmadog salvaged a battling 1-1 draw at the Traeth.

Jonathan Evans had given the Roosters the lead on the hour, but Porth levelled two minutes from time when Price’s shot from 20 yards left keeper Lee Jenkins wrong-footed after bouncing off Owain James.

The draw saw Penrhyn slip to third from bottom after wins for both Conwy Borough and Denbigh Town.

Penrhyn had other chances through Evans and Josh Shaw, leaving boss Gari Lewis to reflect on what might have been as he prepares for Saturday’s big Welsh Cup third round trip to face Welsh Premier League side Rhyl.

“Porthmadog had a lot of possession and pressure, without creating a lot, and maybe we could have nicked the points at the end,” Lewis said.

“The boys defended superbly, they kept their shape well, and we stifled them while looking to counter, which worked well. It was sickening to concede a deflected goal like we did.

“They had a bit of luck with their goal as Lee Jenkins had it covered, but they are a decent side and, on the balance of play, deserved a point.”

Penrhyn could take positives from their second draw in a row, but for a hamstring injury to Antonio Corbisiero. Mark Gornall, a new father of twins, however, returns to face Rhyl.

Josh Davies headed wide from a Chris Jones cross in one of Porthmadog’s best attacks early on, with Penrhyn defender Sion James needing treatment after colliding with the upright as he attempted to clear.

That apart, the Roosters were rarely troubled, although they survived a scramble following a Julian Williams corner, and Gareth Jones Evans’ cross found Chris Jones in space at the back pos, but his strike was lifted over.

The second half continued in similar vein, with Jenkins saving well after Williams had cut in from the left.

Penrhyn sounded a warning when Jonathan Evans launched a strong run down the right and cut in, forcing Richard Harvey into an excellent diving save, before Dan Roberts cleared the danger as Josh Shaw followed up.

Evans was not to be denied and on 59 minutes he cut inside from the right and his low shot from 12 yards went in under the diving Harvey.

Penrhyn held firm as the hosts launched a series of balls into the box, with Sion James, John Foligno and Owain James winning in the air.

Porth became increasingly frustrated by a well organised visiting defence, with Gareth Jones Evans’ dipping effort going narrowly over.

It was left to defender Iddon Price to do what his forwards had failed to do all afternoon. He broke from midfield before letting fly from 20 yards out and, helped by a deflection in the crowded box, it found its way into the net to snatch the hosts a point.

PORTHMADOG: R Harvey, R Evans, J Banks, C James (T Clarke 82), D Roberts, I Price, G Jones Evans, C Jones (J McDaid 61), J Davies (J Williams 79), C Jones, J Williams. Unused: S Bratt, T French (gk).

PENRHYNCOCH: L Jenkins, N Mousley, J Foligno, A Lemon, S James, O James, J Evans, E Evans, G Mansell, J Shaw, A Evans. (H Horwood 7) Unused: Doherty, D Carruthers, G Lewis, A Thomas.