CAERNARFON Town advanced to the Nathaniel MG Cup third round thanks to a hard-fought 2-0 win at Corwen.

The Canaries avoided a potential banana skin in a professional manner against the newly promoted JD Cymru North outfit, which will give them a confidence boost ahead of their top-flight opener at all-conquering defending champions The New Saints on Sunday (2.30pm).

The visitors got off to the best start possible with an opener after just three minutes, which arrived when Gareth Evans beat on-rushing stopper Dylan Jones to the ball before steering into an empty net.

Their joy was almost short-lived when Sam Henry latched on to a slack pass from Gareth Edwards to go through on goal, but the towering Cofis’ centre half did tremendously well to get back and avert an impending danger following his initial error.

Danny Jellicoe’s side were made to pay for their lack of conviction on 16 minutes when Noah Edwards diverted in a cross after some exceptional work from Darren Thomas and Sion Bradley.

Cai Jones and Evans both spurned good chances to treble the away side’s advantage throughout the remainder of the first period, with Henry drilling a shot narrowly wide of the target at the other end.

After the break saw the home side continue to make things difficult for the JD Cymru Premier outfit, but Jones, Thomas, Bradley and Leo Smith all went close during the opening exchanges of the half.

The hosts were not without opportunities of their own after throwing caution to the wind in the closing stages, but Cofis’ stopper Alex Ramsay was equal to any attempt that came his way to ensure he side held on to reach the next stage of the competition.