LIVEWIRE Carl Lamb was left beaming as his two goals sentenced Aberystwyth Town to a 3-1 defeat at the Corbetts Sports Stadium on Wednesday.

Lamb was released by Aber after spending six weeks with the squad in pre-season, and the much-travelled striker had pulled no punches when venting his anger at the Seasiders’ management on social media.

Having rejoined Rhyl a fortnight ago, however, Lamb led the way as the Lillies put Sunday’s 10-0 thrashing at the hands of The New Saints firmly behind them.

Blake Davies had given Aberystwyth an 11th-minute lead, with his first goal for the club - but out of nowhere Oliver Buckley ran from the halfway line before planting the equaliser past Dominic Richards.

Aberystwyth were further stunned as a quick-fire double from Lamb, both from set-pieces, suddenly put Rhyl into the driving seat at the half-time interval. The striker rose well to head home from a free-kick, and he then notched his second goal with a well-directed free-kick.

Aber’s centre backs Sam Rodon and Will Bell had earlier done well to block efforts from Alex Jones and Kristian Pierce in the opening minutes, and Ryan Wollacott also cleared a corner from the fired-up hosts.

The tide began to turn, however, as Aberystwyth’s Joe Clark picked out Chris Jones in a good position, and his low effort brought a good save from keeper Owen Evans.

A deep cross from Luke Borrelli was then headed back across goal by Geoff Kellaway, but Clarke’s headed goal was disallowed by referee Tom Williams.

The breakthrough arrived when some imperious play in central midfield by Clarke and Luke Sherbon lead to on-loan striker Davies being picked out in space 20 yards out - and his low shot skidded into the bottom corner for a sweet finish.

Aber set out to take control, and looked to be cruising as Jones out left set up Clarke, who headed over, whilst Borrelli’s free kick was tipped over, just, by Evans, and Bell had a shot cleared off the line.

Then, however, the game turned completely as Oliver Buckley burst down the left flank and fired low past keeper Richards for an unlikely 24th minute leveller.

Two minutes later a routine free kick from the left was floated into Aber’s penalty box and that man Lamb lept highest to head the home team into a 2-1 lead.

Back came Aberystwyth, with Wollacott heading goalbound from Jones’ corner, and bringing another save from Evans. James Brewerton could have made it three, but down the other end Ricky Watts brought out another save from Evans.

Kellaway picked out Jones, whose curling effort went inches wide, but two minutes before the break Lamb struck again. From a free kick at the edge of the box, Lamb unleashed a strong curling effort, and the Rhyl turnaround was complete.

There was still time in a breathless half for Jones to curl another 25 yarder just past the post, but the score stayed at 3-1.

The second half failed to live up to the excitement of the first 45, but Aber kept on going in search of an elusive comeback.

Lamb was unlucky not to seal a hattrick after the break when his angled half volley went wide, but then Aberystwyth sub Jonathan Evans put home keeper Owen Evans back to work with a low volley.

Greg Walters, another sub, had a shot blocked, and Jones picked out Davies in the box, who shielded the ball and turned well to unleash a volley that was blocked.

Jones brought another last-gasp clearance with a low cross - and Lamb led the celebrations as determined Rhyl secured the win, which they probably deserved.

RHYL: O Evans, J Miller, C Lamb, J Brewerton, A Jones, R Newton, O Buckley (R Jones 79), K Pierce, D Collins, J Bell, T Hartley. Subs not used: R Crowther (gk), Z Edwards, K Hilditch, C Durkin, R Hulse, L Fitzpatrick.

ABERYSTWYTH: D Richards, R Watts, S Rodon, W Bell, J Clarke (K March 79), G Kellaway (J Evans 57), L Sherbon, B Davies, L Borrelli (G Walters 72), R Wollacott, C Jones. Subs not used: K Georgievsky, L Coyle.

Attendance: 381. Referee: Tom Williams.