A HAT-TRICK from Mark Cadwallader ensured Rhyl avoided a giant-killing as they beat Llanrhaeadr Ym Mochant 4-2 in the Welsh Cup.

The Lilywhites now advance to the quarter finals of the competition, where they face a trip to Carmarthen Town, a team who sit one place and seven points above them in the Welsh Premier League standings.

In difficult conditions, Greg Strong’s men began their visit to Powys well, although they would have to wait until the 40th minute to take the lead courtesy of a stunning strike from the impressive Ashley Ruane.

The hosts responded well to going a goal behind and were almost level moments later when Joe Vaughan forced an instinctive save from visiting custodian Alex Ramsay.

This proved to be crucial, as Rhyl doubled their advantage on the stroke of half-time when Llan keeper Connor Lee failed to deal with a David Thompson cross, and Cadwallader prodded home his first of the afternoon.

After the break saw more pressure from the visitors, and they sealed their passage to the last eight on 53 minutes when Cadwallader headed home a Levi Mackin cross.

Despite the deficit, the home side continued to press and they finally got their reward on 57 minutes when Mark Griffiths fired in a rebound for their first consolation goal.

The tie was finally put to bed eight minutes from time when Jack Kenny was felled in the box, and Cadwallader rounded off a fine day at the office by converting the penalty for his hat-trick.

A second Llan goal arrived three minutes later through Tom Bailey, but the Lilywhites saw out the rest of the game in relative comfort to advance to the next round.

Strong’s turn their attention to league action this weekend where they face a trip to fellow quarter-finalists Gap Connah’s Quay (2.30pm), who produced an upset by beating third placed Bala Town on penalties.