CPD Y Rhyl 1879 were left to rue their missed chances as they crashed out of the Welsh Cup on penalties to Menai Bridge Tigers.

The lilywhites welcomed their guests to the Belle Vue in the first round of the JD Welsh Cup on Saturday, looking to bounce back from their league cup defeat to Llay Welfare.

Aaron White, from Rhyl, was made captain in his last game for the club ahead of his move to Australia.

Rhyl dictated large parts of the first half but were unable to break the deadlock, the most notable effort falling to Kie Ellis following an Alex Jones cross from the right-hand side, with Macauley Taylor nodding the ball down well into the path of the oncoming Ellis who dragged his half volley wide of the goal.

The second half was a story of missed opportunities which would ultimately cost Gareth Thomas’ side a place in the next round.

The away side were awarded a penalty following a challenge by Miles Todd, only for Craig Roberts to drag the penalty wide of the target.

Rhyl went ahead with 15 minutes left to play, Alex Jones turning provider with a cross for Kie Ellis to find the back of the net.

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Two more late opportunities fell to Jones, who didn’t manage to find the back of the net, on one occasion driving past three defenders and the keeper with the goal wide open only for a Tigers defender to deny him.

That was to be the key moment of the match as the Anglesey outfit found the leveller in the 92nd minute, Callum Davidson setting up Lewis Clayton who calmly headed the ball home.

For the first time in the new club’s history, Rhyl would go to a penalty shootout to determine who would progress to the second round of the Welsh Cup.

After 10 successful penalties it went to sudden death, and with the score at 7-6 in favour of the away side, lilywhites youngster Elliot Evans was denied by Dion Lewis to hand Menai Bridge victory.

A CPD Y Rhyl 1879 spokesperson said: “We all wish Menai Bridge Tigers all the very best in the next round of the JD Welsh Cup following a brilliant cup tie.”

Next up, the lilywhites are back in league action away against Holyhead Hotspur in the Ardal North West game on Saturday, 23 September.