ABERYSTWYTH Town showed real character as they fought back from behind to beat Llanelli Town 3-1 at Park Avenue in the JD Welsh Premier League on Friday evening.

The visitors took a deserved first half lead through James Loveridge’s 17th minute strike, but a second half fightback, sparked by substitute Rio Ahmadi, saw Aber deservedly take the points.

The number nine equalised on 62 minutes, before wing man Geoff Kellaway gave the hosts the lead on 64 minutes, and a satisfying victory was sealed by substitute Joe Phillips on 77 minutes.

There were two debutants in the Aber starting side as the experienced Alan Goodall slotted in at left back in place of Steff Edwards, and new signing Ashley Ruane started as the lone striker.

Llanelli edged the early stages and they were rewarded on 17 minutes when James Loveridge latched onto a ball over the top, before slotting beyond keeper Terry McCormick.

The Reds nearly doubled their lead as ex-Seasider Mark Jones rounded McCormick, only to see his effort cleared off the line by Ryan Wollacott, and on 32 minutes, Loveridge was denied by an excellent save.

At the other end, Goodall strode forward and unleashed a vicious left-footed strike that was superbly tipped over the bar by Llanelli keeper Oliver Davies.In added time, however, Aber again had stopper McCormick to thank as he produced a fine stop to deny Loveridge and crucially keep them in the match at the interval.

Striker Ahmadi was introduced from the substitutes' bench at half-time, in place of Paulo Mendes, as Aber changed formation, supporting Ruane up front.

There was an instant change in tempo of the home side as Geoff Kellaway fired over the crossbar, and then Ruane also went close with a half volley from long range.

Then, on 62 minutes, Aber were rewarded as Ahmadi was first to reach a looping cross into the box from Wes Baynes, and he directed a fantastic header into the net for 1-1.

Just two minutes later it got even better for the Seasiders as Goodall’s great ball into the box found Kellaway, who showed great composure to take the ball down and volley in.

Llanelli’s Chris Jones was denied by the excellent McCormick, but on 77 minutes, substitute Phillips fired home from Ryan Edwards’ cross to make it 3-1.

The hosts did well to weather a late storm from Llanelli, but they very nearly made it four in added time as Ruane raced through on goal, only to be denied by a fantastic save.

ABERYSTWYTH: T McCormick, W Baynes, A Goodall (J Rimmer 80’), R Wollacott, G Kellaway (J Phillips 74’), P Mendes (PAhmadi 46’), D Walker, R Edwards, L Jenkins, M Jones, A Ruane.LLANELLI: O Davies, R Jones, C Thomas (C Smith 81’), S Tancock, J Clark, A Finselbach (J Follows 56’), C Jones, J Davies (R Islam Khaton 90’), K March, M Jones, J Loveridge. Substitutes not used: C Indja, T Jenkins, K Rees.Attendance: 225.