PRESTATYN Town continued their preparations ahead of the new Huws Gray Alliance season with a 3-2 friendly loss to Northwich Victoria.

The Seasiders were left rueing a late goal that prevented them from claiming a share of the spoils during what was another encouraging display from the new-look squad.

The home side made a good start to the contest and took the lead on 29 minutes when Jack Hoult maintaining his fine goalscoring record since joining the club after turning in at the far post after some impressive approach play and subsequent delivery from Kieran Ellis.

Things almost got even better just before the break when Macauley Taylor, Hoult and James Jones all failed to prod home from close range on 41 minutes following a goalmouth scramble.

After the interval saw the visitors instantly impose themselves on proceedings and levelled matters after 48 minutes when Billy Whittle latched on to a through ball before finding the bottom corner.

This provoked a strong response from Town, who got their noses in front once again soon after when skipper Alex Jones marked a fantastic display with a header from close range.

The away side equalised again after Kieran Kenny headed in from a Rory Gorman corner on 69 minutes, and they crucially struck to claim bragging rights late on when striker Joel Brownhill found the target five minutes from time.

Joint-boss Leon Field, said: “Pre-season in general has been good - I think the unity and togetherness is clear.

“There's definitely a lot of quality in the side and they play for each other - the main attribute of the squad is the effort they all put in. They all run until the last minute.

“We've taken leads against the run of play, we just need to be hanging on to them or better, extending them - but I think that's just down to fitness.

“Our options off the bench are fantastic and I think with Diego (Alvarado) and Jimbo (Hay) in there we would have at least got the draw.”