BANGOR CITY will be looking to return to winning ways against Bala Town on Friday Night, after they were knocked out of the Welsh Cup at the first hurdle by Llanelli.
In a frantic opening 45 minutes, City stamped their authority from the first whistle and found themselves in front within the first minute.
Kyle Wilson's jinking run evaded the attention of three Llanelli defenders, which allowed him time to apply a low finish that beat Llanelli keeper Ashley Morris after just 49 seconds.
Despite City's lightning start, their lead lasted no longer than two minutes.
A Craig Williams corner left the Bangor defence rooted to the spot, and Lee Surman rose highest to head home the equaliser.
Having been pegged back, Bangor looked to settled the play down, and they began to dominate possession.
Their incisive passing football created chances for Sion Edwards and Dave Morley, both unable to apply the finishing touch.
Bangor had to wait 18 minutes to regain the lead, Les Davies being put through by Wilson, and the big striker managed to clip the ball over oncoming 'keeper Morris, before stooping low to head in his side's second of the afternoon.
The Citizens continued to play some attractive football, with Wilson and Edwards combining well to create chances for one another, both coming close to extending the lead.
Davies then headed just over from a corner which would prove costly as City, for all their good football, would conspire to go in at half time behind.
Llanelli struck back on 37 minutes, when Rhys Griffiths converted a penalty after Chris Venables was brought down in the Bangor area by Michael Johnston.
Wilson then had a chance to re-establish the home side's lead, but his attempted lob cleared Morris' crossbar.
City would rue their missed chances, as their full-time counterparts struck again on the stroke of half time. Jason Bowen delivered a free kick into the area from half-way, and it was Griffiths who met the ball to head past Lee Idzi and give a grateful Llanelli a surprise half-time lead.
Nev Powell's side came out after half time determined to make amends, as they carved out chances for goalscorer Davies, who hit the bar with another headed effort and later forced the keeper into a near post save following a snap shot.
Llanelli had a chance of their own, with Craig Williams shooting wide from a one on one situation.
And the visitors silenced the home crowd on the hour, when Griffiths completed his hat-trick with a cool finish from a Chris Thomas cross.
The hosts pressed but despite chances by Davies, Edwards and Jamie Brewerton, they could not find another way past 'keeper Morris, leaving Andy Legg's side to continue their defence of the Welsh Cup crown.
NEV Powell takes his team into Friday’s clash with Bala clash knowing that a win would take them back to the top spot temporarily, which would keep the pressure on leaders Llanelli and The New Saints.
The clash will be City's penultimate match before they move on to their new home at Nantporth, and will see the visit of an accomplished Bala side looking to assure a place in the top six.
And Bangor boss Nev Powell remains wary of the visitors, whose attack now boasts the goalscoring exploits of former City duo Lee Hunt and Mark Connolly.
He said: "Bala are a good side and they'll be coming out to try and win the match.
"It's a big game for us, the onus is on us to get back to the top of the league, and if we win this game then we'll be back up there."
Powell was left to rue his side's missed chances during Bangor's Welsh Cup exit at the hands of full-time outfit Llanelli last Saturday, which was the first time City have failed to reach the final of the competition since the beginning of the Powell's reign at the club. He said:
"We're very disappointed to go out, and bitterly disappointed for the fans.
"We had more than enough chances to win the game, and you have to take your chances against a team like Llanelli. It just wasn't really our day," he added.