ABERYSTWYTH Town returned to the top of the Welsh Premier League’s Play-Off Conference on goal difference as they hit back from being a goal down to beat Rhyl 3-1 at Park Avenue on Friday.

Goals from Craig Williams, Ross Stephens and Chris Venables ensured that Aber reclaimed seventh spot, on goal difference from Carmarthen and Bangor - who both have a game in hand.

Williams returned to the starting side after an impressive cameo at Port Talbot, and the hosts were soon on the attack, with Rhys Griffiths flicking on a header for Geoff Kellaway to fire over early on.

Williams then sent in a trademark free kick, from which top scorer Venables glanced a header just wide of the target.

From only their second attack, however, Rhyl opened the scoring on 14 minutes.

A free kick on the edge of the area was fired in low by Rob Hughes, and Mike Lewis’ save fell perfectly for Zac Corbett to nod the ball home from close range.

Within five minutes Aber were awarded a penalty for handball, and although Venables saw his effort was saved by Terry McCormick, Williams was first to the rebound to smash in a deserved equaliser.

The hosts continued to attack, with Kellaway crossing for Venables, who placed his effort agonizingly past the goal post.

Williams then drew another save from McCormick, but at the other end a superb goal saving tackle by Stuart Jones denied Corbett as he closed in on Lewis’s goal.

Big striker Griffiths headed wide for Aber, and then at the other end the hosts survived a difficult injury time, which culminated in Greg Stones hitting the bar.

Parity at half time was about right, but just three minutes into the second half Kellaway surged forward and sent in another superb cross, from which Ross Stephens netted with a superb diving header right in front of the Dias Stand.

Hughes went close for Rhyl, but then a quick free kick set up Venables, who saw his low drive parried away by the keeper.

Aber deservedly went in front on 55 minutes when Venables found space in the right side of the area and danced around McCormick to fire home his 16th Welsh Premier goal with a low drive.

More home goals seemed inevitable, and Griffiths’ deft touch set up Kellaway, who went close again to scoring, before Griffiths himself also headed just over from an excellent Williams delivery.

Venables was again denied by McCormick, and Kellaway fired wide, but at the other end Lewis made an excellent save from a deflected shot by David Mannix.

Antonio Corbisiero sent in a great cross which Griffiths headed against the bar, and, with news filtering through of Port Talbot’s surprise win at Carmarthen Good Friday was turning into Great Friday.

Lewis kept out close range headers from Stones and Jon Owen, but Venables was yet again denied by McCormick, and sub Kane Owen also blasted wide for Aber.

Griffiths then set up Jonathan Evans, who found the net with a sweet curling effort, but that was ruled out for offside.

ABER: M Lewis, A Corbisiero, C Davies, R Stephens (K Owen 86), S Jones, L Surman, G Kellaway (J Evans 74), C Venables, C Williams, S James, R Griffiths. Subs: W Thomas, J Rimmer, L Jaques, R Batley, N Blake.

RHYL: T McCormick, D Gossett, J Owen, R Hughes, G Stones, C Dysart, Z Corbett, L Makin, M Walsh (T Jones 79),L Benson, L Wandless (D Mannix 64). Unused subs: D Keates, L Fitzpatrick, M Askew (g). Att: 352