Late Maher penalty gives Prestatyn Town win at Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochant

The Seasiders’ emerged victorious against the newly promoted side with a hard-fought display to ensure their second triumph in succession, and the result leaves Neil Gibson’s men in eighth position in the Huws Gray Alliance standings.

Town will look to build on their positive momentum since the turn of the year in their final two fixtures, with their penultimate contest coming at Guilsfield on Saturday (2.30pm).

The visitors began the game on the front foot and almost went ahead on five minutes when Danny Davies failed to convert a header following a decent delivery from James Hay on five minutes, with Ryan Roberts producing a stunning stop at the other end to keep the scores level soon after.

Skipper Alex Jones and pacey full-back Casey Faulkney also failed to convert good openings in quick succession for the away side, and they were made to pay for their lack of conviction in front of goal on 17 minutes when a quick counter-attack was finished off in style by Tom Evans.

This was met by a strong response by Gibson’s side, who earned a golden chance to get themselves back on level terms when Davies was felled in the box on 28 minutes, and forward Ben Maher kept his composure to put away the spot kick.

After the break saw Town impose themselves from the outset, with Oli Buckley and the outstanding Davies both inches away from giving their side the lead for the first time during the opening exchanges.

Jones was becoming more of a factor in the middle of the park and he flashed an effort straight at the keeper on 71 minutes, with Dave Hayes also going close from a Maher corner with 81 on the clock.

The critical moment arrived on 84 minutes when the visitors were awarded their second penalty of the afternoon following a foul on Jack Higgins, and Maher drilled home his second from 12 yards to give his side all three points.