PRESTATYN Town were left rueing a late penalty decision which condemned them to a 1-0 JD Welsh Premier League defeat at Bala Town.

The Seasiders were unable to claim a share of the spoils against a side that have now beaten them twice over the festive period despite turning in another encouraging display, and Neil Gibson’s side remain three points adrift of Aberystwyth Town ahead of their clash with champions The New Saints of Oswestry Town on Friday night (7.45pm).

Assistant manager Martin Jones, said: “We were very pleased with the way we played but hugely disappointed to lose to a last-minute penalty after we were denied what appeared to be two clear cut penalties during the game. “The lads executed Neil’s game plan well and given some luck could have been two-up by the time Bala scored.”

The home side began the game on the front foot and they were unfortunate not to go ahead early on when Mike Hayes forced an error out of Town keeper Carl Jones, but he was unable to take advantage and spurned the opportunity.

Gradually the visitors began to impose themselves on proceedings with Ben Maher missing a good chance from ten yards out, while Jack Kenny could only fire wide when one-on-one with the home custodian soon after.

Jones pulled off a pair of superb saves from Les Davies and Nathan Burke to keep the score level just before the break, and Kenny thought he had won a penalty when he was bundled over in the box, only for the appeals to be waved off.

After the interval saw Maher and Kenny go close once again during an impressive spell, but any hopes of a point were dashed on 89 minutes when Chris Venables smashed home a penalty to give Colin Caton’s men another vital victory in their quest for the top six and condemn Town to their seventh straight defeat in all competitions.