ABERYSTWYTH Town produced a controlled performance to secure a massive three points in a 2-0 win at Llandudno, to ensure that victory over relegation rivals Rhyl this Friday would earn them Welsh Premier survival.

Goals in each half from Mark Jones and Malcolm Melvin sealed a vital victory over the goal-shy hosts at Maesdu Park on Sunday, to reclaim a two-point lead over the Lilywhites, who had a last-gasp win over Airbus 24 hours earlier.

Ryan Wollacott slotted into midfield, in front of central defenders Phil Baker and Sam Rodon, with the hard working Malcolm Melvin and Jack Rimmer in the middle of the park.

Much was expected of the frontrunners to perform, with Luke Borrelli and Geoff Kellaway out wide, and Mark Jones leading the line, as Aber looked to find a way through.

Striker Jones fired an early chance wide after a half clearance, but Llandudno attacked down the flanks early on, only for Aber’s backline to comfortably clear their lines.

Aber made the breakthrough on 12 minutes when stand-in captain Dan Alfei whipped in a great ball to Jones, who took the ball down well and threaded his strike across the keeper into the far corner of the net.

The visitors held early control and pressed well, with the excellent Melvin getting a shot away at ex-Aber keeper Dave Roberts, whilst Baker and Alfei both provided neat passes into the home danger area.

Llandudno, who lad lost Lewis Buckley in the opening minutes to an ankle injury, were playing deep, but they made it into Aber’s penalty box when Ben Jago found Gareth Evans, but he failed to connect.

Back down the other end, Alfei’s cross was deflected back to Borrelli, who failed to capitalise from 16 yards, but Llandudno’s Danny Hughes skied the ball over, and Lee Thomas was forced wide by Alfei.

A first half of few chances ended goalless, but Aber started the second half knowing that a clean sheet over the next 45 minutes would be enough for the all-important points.

Kellaway whipped a cross into the keeper’s hands, but Mike Williams lifted the ball over the bar at the other end as Llandudno finally started to show attacking intent.

Aber thought that they had scored their killer second goal when Alfei whipped in another great cross and Jones slid in at the far post to net with a great effort, only for the linesman to raise his flag for offside.

Llandudno responded immediately when an excellent ball in by Danny Hughes found Thomas just six yards out, but he missed the scoring chance at the far post.

Williams was booked for a dive after going down in the box under Rodon, and further home chances saw Alfei make a good challenge on Thomas, and minutes later Evans crossed the ball in over the bar.

With Jamie Crowther on for Rimmer, Aber settled as the game ticked on, and Kellaway saw a good chance blocked at the far post from just three yards out, following a very good chip in from Borrelli.

Then, with 15 minutes to go, Aber sealed their well-deserved win.

Jones ran through from his own half down the middle, and although Danny Taylor made a great tackle on the edge of the penalty box, the ball fell to Melvin, who skipped wide of his marker and sloted the ball through the legs of keeper Roberts for the decisive second goal.

Phil Baker hobbled off injured with six minutes to go after a good shift, but Aber almost made it three when striker Jones threaded the ball through to young substitute Sion Ewart, who was denied by the feet of the home keeper Roberts.

Aber never looked like letting it slip against a lacklustre Llandudno, and their first win in seven matches, and a clean sheet to boot, served as a massive boost for Friday’s showdown with Rhyl at Park Avenue.

LLANDUDNO: D Roberts, D Taylor, D Shaw, G Evans (O Jones 72), D Hughes, M Williams, J Reed (S McCaffery 82), S Hart, M Williams, B Jago, L Buckley (LThomas 3). Subs not used: T Williams, P Rutter (gk), J Crawford.

ABERYSTWYTH TOWN: C Mullock, C Davies, S Rodon, P Baker (S Ewart 84), G Kellaway (J Owen 72), L Borrelli, R Wollacott, J Rimmer (J Crowther 63), M Melvin, D Alfei, M Jones.

Attendance: 267. Referee: Lee Evans.