MANAGER Gari Lewis praised Penrhyncoch’s fighting spirit after pulling off a crucial 3-1 win at fellow strugglers Holyhead Hotspur to boost hopes of survival in the HG Cymru Alliance.

After falling behind to a third minute opener from Tomos Clarke, the Roosters levelled through the first of two goals from striker Carl Lamb.

The encounter was in the balance in the second period, before sub Stef Davies headed the Roosters in front in the last few minutes, and Lamb wrapped up the win with his second goal in injury time.

Victory - their first in 15 outings since early September - was all the more creditable as the Roosters made the trip to Anglesey with a depleted side, with just two subs, including Lewis himself.

The visitors dug deep, and the timely success has now given them a glimmer of hope in their battle for survival as they head to Guilsfield on Saturday (2.30pm).

Although still lying second-from-bottom, Penrhyn are now just four points from safety, while they have opened up a seven point bap on rock bottom Holyhead.

Lewis admits his side now have a glimmer of hope in their quest for league survival, after gaining a first win since defeating Flint Town 1-0 back on 1 September.

“Again we had four or five out, but it just shows what these lads can do,” he said.

“They showed great character. We deserved to win, but maybe 3-1 flattered us a bit.

“It was a great feeling to finally win again, as I was getting sick at looking at the table with us on 14 points.

“This has given us hope, and we all deserve some hope, as the boys, like myself, have found it hard lately.

“I’ve got to give them a lot of credit. We had to change things around, and a lot of them were playing out of position, but they got on with and didn’t moan about it.

“We struggled a bit defending set pieces, and could have been two goals down early on, but in the second half we played with a lot of pace, and we looked very dangerous.

“I played it down before the game, but it was a must-win game. A draw would have been okay, but the win gives us that bit of renewed hope.”

He added: “We’ve now got Guilsfield away on Saturday which is going to be a tough game. They are a quality side, but we beat them at home earlier in the season and I’m expecting another humdinger of a game.”

The Roosters may include former Aberystwyth Town striker Lee Healey, international clearance permitting.

Carwyn Jones has returned to Aberystwyth, but moving in the other direction to Cae Baker is front runner Nashawn Blake who impressed on his return to the club at Holyhead last weekend.

Missing the trip to Anglesey were the injured Matt Mousley and Cledan Davies, along with Craig Williams and Owain James, and Lewis will wait to see wether any of the quartet will be available.

Holyhead who are also finding life tough this season, started well last Saturday, and threatened from set plays, and Clarke made an early breakthrough for them.

They could have doubled their advantage, but the battling Roosters clawed their way back into the game.

Lamb - getting close to fitness after suffering damaged ribs - missed a good chance, before the striker bagged his first goal for the club with an angled strike into the bottom corner before the interval.

Spurred by the goal, the Roosters had a spring in their step after the break, with Tom Evans epitomising the spirit of the side when switching from right back to his unaccustomed left back position and putting in a man-of-the-match performance.

Penrhyn keeper Leigh Jenkins, who continues to struggle with a leg injury, pulled off a couple of fine saves to keep the visitors on level terms, before substitute Stef Davies made his mark when heading the Roosters in front with time ticking away.

There was still time for Lamb to find the net again in the dying stages as Penrhyn secured a crucial win that they now hope will bring a change of fortune in the remaining 10 games.

PENRHYNCOCH (v Holyhead): L Jenkins, A Corbisiero (S Davies 70 minutes), T Evans, S James, J Foligno, L Sherbon, J Rimmer, J Shaw, C Lamb, J Evans, N Blake. Sub not used: G Lewis.