RHYL continued their preparations ahead of the new Huws Gray Alliance season with a 4-3 friendly victory over a Fleetwood Town XI.

The Lilywhites turned in another very positive display against their youthful SkyBet League One opponents, and they opened the scoring after just seven minutes when Matthew Worrall hit the target after an impressive move down the left-hand side.

This provoked a strong response from the visitors, who levelled proceedings after 22 minutes when Jay Matete continued his fine of form in front of goal with a composed finish past Lilies stopper Rory Crowther.

Worrall was forced to leave the field shortly after through injury and was replaced by Kristian Pierce, who wasted no time in making an impact by netting from close range on 26 minutes to put the home side ahead once again.

This joy proved to be short-lived as Town struck back almost instantly when Sam O’Halleron’s header somehow made its way past Crowther on 28 minutes, but the Lilywhites restored their advantage during a frantic spell when James Murphy marked his return to the side with a stunning individual effort on 31.

Pierce and Murphy both spurned good opportunities to double their advantage before the break, but the former would have a say in Rhyl’s fourth after teeing up Mike Pritchard inside the area, and the playmaker made no mistake to send them into the interval with a two-goal cushion.

A series of changes for Eddie Maurice-Jones’ side at the half halted their momentum, but defender Max Peate headed narrowly over during the opening exchanges of the second period.

The away side pulled a goal back on 66 minutes when Katlego Mashigo’s superb strike halved the deficit, but the Lilies managed to hold on for their first win of pre-season at the second attempt.

One worrying element from the clash was an injury to recent signing James Stead, with the midfielder set to undergo tests in the near future to determine the severity of the damage.