HOLYHEAD Hotspur’s hopes of Huws Gray Alliance survival suffered another dent as they were beaten 3-1 at home by Penrhyncoch.

The Holy Islanders failed to hold on to an early advantage and missed a number of opportunities throughout the contest, and Darren Garmey’s men remain eight points adrift of safety ahead of their huge Huws Gray Cup semi-final against troubled Bangor City this Friday (7.30pm).

The home side made a good start to the game and almost went ahead early on when talented striker John Littlemore fired wide, but they did not have to wait long for a breakthrough thanks to a fine finish from Tomos Clarke.

Gradually the Roosters began to find a foothold in the game and they were rewarded for their improved play soon after when Tomos Evans was presented with an opportunity, and he slotted past Carl Jones to level matters.

Talisman Mel McGinness was looking lively for the hosts and he missed a good chance to get them back ahead midway through the half, but it was experience striker Carl Lamb who pounced to give the away side a slender lead at the break when he converted on 37 minutes.

After the break saw Spurs’ control possession for long periods but were unable to make their pressure count, with Luke McGivern wasting their best opportunity when he blazed over following a neat passage of play.

Garmey’s side threw caution to the wind in the closing stages which allowed space for a devastating counter-attack from the visitors, and Lamb took full advantage to notch his second of the afternoon and condemn the basement dwellers to defeat.”