PRESTATYN Town suffered their second straight Huws Gray Alliance defeat as they fell to a 2-0 reverse at title chasing Porthmadog.

The Seasiders had nothing to show for their efforts against a fancied side despite a spirited display, and things do not get any easier for Leon Field and Ryan Turner’s during what is expected to be another hugely critical week of action during the early stages of the campaign.

Town entertain fierce rivals Rhyl on Tuesday night at the Motion Finance Stadium, before making the short trip to a new-look Holywell Town on Saturday (2.30pm).

Home striker Joe Chaplin looked lively in the opening exchanges and forced keeper Ryan Woods into a pair of smart saves early on, and the talented stopper pulled off a sensational effort to divert a Julian Williams effort on to the crossbar.

The resolute visiting rearguard was finally breached after 38 minutes when Woods turned away Jay Gibbs’ strike into the path of Gruff John Williams, and the right-back made no mistake from close range to put the home side in the ascendancy.

After the break saw the Seasiders come out with a renewed sense of purpose and they almost got a reward for their improved play when Alex Jones spurned a chance and saw his goalbound effort blocked for a corner.

They were made to pay for this missed chance soon after when Chaplin finally got his name on the scoresheet after 58 minutes thanks to a clever lob over Woods for his first goal of the season.

Another period of Town pressure followed the setback, but they were unable to find the answers in the final third thanks in no small part to the quality organisation of the Port back-line, and the home side went close to adding to their tally late on when Williams narrowly missed out on reaching a Shaun Cavanagh delivery, with Gibbs’ long range free-kick calling the outstanding Woods into action once again.