RELEGATION-haunted Penrhyncoch have now gone 13 games without a win in the Huws Gray Cymru Alliance after being edged out 2-1 away against Flint Town United, despite giving it their all at Cae-y-Castell.

Their fourth defeat in a row left them second-from-bottom, and six points adrift of safety, but boss Gari Lewis could point to what might have been.

His side’s last win came against Flint back in early September, and they felt they deserved more for their efforts in the return after showing attacking intent right from the first whistle.

They now face a crunch clash on Saturday at home to fellow strugglers Denbigh Town, who arrive at Cae Baker two places and six points above.

“We’re favourites to go down, but we won’t be giving up until it’s mathematically impossible,” said Lewis.

“We won’t go down without a fight, and I only want players at the club who are prepared to scrap for results.

“Again we had no luck, that’s been the story of our season. We could have got points from our last three games, but I’m getting sick of ‘ifs and buts’.

“It seems that we’re destined not to get the breaks, the big decisions are not going for us, and it’s the hardest season I can remember. But I won’t be walking away, and we won’t be giving up, with 12 games still to go.”

He added: “From having a 17 man squad, we travelled with just 12 fit players after losing five in the week.

“We also had a goalkeeper and centre forward both carrying injuries, but all the lads gave everything, they were incredible, and deserved far more.”

Lewis, himself, felt aggrieved after being sent to the stands by the referee early in the first half, while the visitors were convinced the ball had not crossed the line for Flint’s first goal.

To add to the problems, they lost Cledan Davies through an ankle injury on 14 minutes, with 41-year-old Sion Meredith making an early appearance as subs after being called up.

Keeper Leigh Jenkins and striker Carl Lamb battled with injuries, the latter having cracked ribs - and Ieuan Brooks is set to return to Barmouth.

On a positive note, the versatile Jack Rimmer had an encouraging debut after joining from Aberystwyth Town.

The visitors found themselves trailing in controversial fashion on 21 minutes when Jenkins failed to hold Brandon Burrows’ cross just under the bar.

The keeper recovered and appeared to grasp the ball on the line as Andy Brown attempted to bundle in, but the goal was awarded, despite protests.

The Roosters were level a minute into the second half when Jonathan Evans steered an excellent header into the net from Rimmer’s inviting corner.

But their delight was short-lived as, just a minute later, Flint’s Mark Cadwallader headed home from Jake Hampson’s free kick, after Tom Evans was ruled to have handled the ball.

Cadwallader and Kyle Smythe both went close to increasing the lead, but Penrhyn remained in the hunt, with Evans off target with a golden chance when put through by Lamb’s header.

Jon Foligno also nodded over from another terrific delivery from Rimmer, but it was to be not their day.

PENRHYNCOCH: L Jenkins, T Evans, S James, J Foligno, M Mousley (I Brooks 77), J Rimmer, C Jones, L Sherbon, C Davies (S Meredith 14), J Evans, C Lamb. Subs not used: A Corbisiero, G Lewis.