CPD Y Rhyl 1879 took a big step in the race for promotion with a 1-0 victory against fellow promotion hopefuls Nantlle Vale at the Belle Vue.

The Lilywhites took to a blustery Belle Vue pitch looking to maintain the momentum built from last week’s 2-1 victory away at St Asaph, with Gareth Thomas' side looking to make amends for the 4-2 away defeat to Vale back in January.

With James Hay and Mark Roberts missing from last week’s 11 due to injury, manager Gareth Thomas called on Oli Buckley and Ollie Staveley to deputise and take their opportunity.

Rhyl began on the front foot with the industrious Alex Jones causing problems for the Nantlle Vale back line.

Vale goalkeeper Oliver Jones pulled off a string of fine saves from Alex Jones, Callum Parry and Oli Buckley, with the home side also hitting the crossbar twice in a dominant first half display.

With 40 minutes played, it was front man and the league's top goalscorer Callum Parry who eventually broke the deadlock, slotting home the game's only goal 

Gareth Thomas’ Lilywhites would have considered themselves unlucky to not go into the break with a bigger lead.

The second half continued in a similar vein, with visiting keeper and man of the match Jones saving an Oli Buckley effort.

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Following five minutes of added time, referee Adam Herbert blew the final whistle, with the Lilywhites remaining top of the Ardal Northwest.

Manager Gareth Thomas said: “We knew it would be a hard game today, clean sheet and defensively we were excellent.

"The Nantlle Vale goalkeeper pulled of four incredible saves in the first half alone.

"The players are putting in the hard work off the pitch for no reward other than the three points.

It’s a good three points, the players are working hard and with 10 games to go we will continue to take it game by game.

"The players want to dedicate the victory to Andy and Luke Wilmot following the passing of Andy’s father and Luke’s grandad yesterday."

Next up the lilywhites travel to Bethesda Athletic in the Ardal Northwest, Saturday 9th March with a 14:30 kick off.