WES Baynes’ 91st minute wonder strike steered Aberystwyth into the fourth round of the JD Welsh Cup with a 2-1 win over Ruthin Town, after they had battled brilliantly with 10 men for 69 minutes, after the sending off of Adam Hughes.

Geoff Kellaway gave Aber the lead in the eighth minute, but Ian Hughes equalised for the Cymru North side in the 89th minute from the penalty spot, only for Baynes’ moment of magic to steal victory.

The Seasiders have been paired with holders The New Saints in the last 16, in the only all-Cymru Premier League tie.

The visitors had started brightly, with William Owen hitting the side-netting with their first attempt - but before 10 minutes had gone, the hosts had struck.

Connor Roberts’ clearance found Geoff Kellaway in space down the left channel, and last season’s top scorer found the net with a cute finish across the keeper.

Owen fired wide again after a nice move, with Ruthin seeing plenty of the ball, but at the other end Joe Phillips had a shot blocked, and Baynes’ free kick almost fell for Stuart Jones - but not quite.

Ilan Hughes sent in a nice free kick, which Kevin Evans headed wide of the target, and then a great Lee Jenkins clearance denied Llyr Morris a strike on goal.

Then came a contentious moment when Adam Hughes was adjudged to have fouled Morris on the edge of the area, and a red card was issued to the TNS loanee with less than a quarter of the tie gone.

With Ruthin dominating possession, Aber needed to defend well from here, and Paulo Mendes was doing an excellent job of blocking off the midfield area.

Jones’ header from a free kick was saved by keeper Ryan Goldston, and he later also denied Baynes from a free kick. Ex-Bow Street player Garmon Hafal called Roberts into a low save, but Aber went in a goal to the good at the break.

The 10 men started the second half well, looking to kill off the game, and Luke Boundford volleyed wide, before Marc Williams also had a shot blocked. At the other end, Ruthin’s Osian Davies had a shot saved, and defender Lee Jenkins again blocked Morris’ path to goal.

The Seasiders were defending resolutely, and even controlling possession at times, and Gwydion Ifan’s shot did not unduly trouble Roberts in the home goal.

Kellaway had two shots on goal blocked down the left, before Boundford crossed from the right for Mendes to flick a header inches wide, with the tie in the balance.

Ilan Hughes hit the side-netting, before Morris got into a great position, only to fluff his shot, and Kellaway brought Goldston back into action with a near post effort that was deflected for a corner.

Ifan’s shot was parried to safety by Roberts, before Jones forced keeper Goldston into yet another stop at the other end. Morris again shot at Roberts from a good position, before heading over, and then the subs combined, but Ryan Edwards’ ball to Matty Jones was too strong.

With Aber defending bravely, it looked like they would hold out - but an 89th minute foul right at the edge of the area resulted in a penalty to the visitors.

Hughes stepped up to score, to bring the visiting bench onto the field in celebration, but there was one final twist two minutes later as emotions were reversed.

Baynes picked up the ball out right from Jones and sent in an amazing curling strike into the top corner of the net, for a goal worthy of winning any tie.