RHYL picked up their first win of the Huws Gray Alliance season thanks to a narrow 3-2 triumph at Ruthin Town.

The Lilywhites were made to work hard for the victory after resting on their laurels following a commanding first half display, and it is another huge week for the promotion hopefuls with two big fixtures in the space of five days.

First up is a trip to derby rivals Prestatyn Town on Tuesday night, before the Lilies welcome Penrhyncoch for their first home game of the season on Saturday.

Director of football Eddie Maurice-Jones, said: “It was definitely a game of two halves. We played to our standards and showed some really good signs and were just too good for them all over the park in the first half.

“We could have had a couple more goals, but the lads have come in and thought the job is done which you cannot do against a team like Ruthin, who are well known for working hard and we looked a bit nervous after giving them life.

“They put it on us a bit and we didn’t get the basics right, and I have said to them that it is a blessing that we have scraped through with three points and it’s a wake-up call that they cannot allow to happen again.”

The away side came out of the blocks flying and opened the scoring after 11 minutes when a fierce Kristian Pierce drive found the net after good work from Matty Worrall in the build-up.

Pierce was on hand to double their advantage from the penalty spot after James Stead was felled in the box after 26 minutes, and skipper Max Peate’s superb header notched a third for the Lilies on 43.

After the break saw Chris Williams’ side get themselves back into the game on 59 minutes when Mathew Evans hit the target, and a nervy end to proceedings was ensured when last season’s top scorer Llyr Morris reduced the deficit further on 70 after another spell of pressure.

Town had the perfect chance to claim a share of the spoils on 83 minutes when they were awarded a spot kick of their own, but Ryan Jones’ effort blazed over the bar to give the visitors a hard-fought three points at the second time of asking.