PENRHYNCOCH’s unbeaten run in the Huws Gray Cymru Alliance came to an end as they succumbed to a last gasp 1-0 defeat against Ruthin Town at Cae Baker.

The Roosters had not lost in six outings, after a Jonathan Evans goal had earned a 1-1 draw with Guilsfield the week before.

The tables were turned, however, as Tom Sharples headed a winner from a corner two minutes from time, to earn Ruthin a vital win in their relegation battle.

Defeat kept Penrhyn 11th in the table, and four points above Ruthin, and they will now look to pick themselves up for Saturday’s trip to Gresford Athletic.

“We’re in a real dogfight now, but it’s still in our own hands, so we’ve got to keep on fighting,” said boss Gari Lewis.

“We’ve got a tough run in, six games away from home, and two at home, but we have done well away from home. We relax more, and it suits our plans to counter attack, so we must keep believing.

“To lose the way we did against Ruthin was a real sickener. We were robbed, but they defended for their lives and their keeper made some outstanding saves.

“I can’t knock the lads, who did well on a bobbly surface. We hit the bar, and had countless chances, but it was not our day.

“We had 10 corners in the first half, and missed chance after chance in the second.”

Meanwhile, the Roosters have wished player Harri Horwood, who was an unused substitute last weekend, every success for his involvement with Wales’ Under-18s Academy squad this week.

PENRHYNCOCH: L Jenkins, M Mousley, J Foligno, S James, M Gornall (S Meredith 85), A Corbisiero, J Shaw, G Mansell (L Doherty 75), L James (D Carruthers 70), E Evans, J Evans. Subs not used: H Horwood, A Lemon.