BANGOR City’s hopes of securing a top two Huws Gray Alliance finish suffered a major blow after they fell to a 6-1 home loss at the hands of champions Airbus Broughton.

Things did not begin well for the Citizens, who fell behind after just eight minutes when in-form striker Lewis Buckley took advantage of some hesitant defending to fire into the corner.

This provoked a strong response from the home side, who almost got back on level terms on 12 minutes when Dylan Summer-Jones came within inches of getting on to the end of a Tom Reilly delivery, with livewire Alex Boss forcing a smart stop from Dave Roberts soon after.

Player-manager Gary Taylor-Fletcher forced Roberts into a fingertip save from a free-kick on 20 minutes, with Osian Hughes heading wide from the resulting corner during an impressive spell of City dominance.

Talented defender Jordan Piggott thwarted a number of Wingmakers’ attacks throughout the first period during an accomplished display, and the away side spurned another opportunity on 28 minutes when Gethin Thomas fired straight at Roberts after being put through by Taylor-Fletcher.

Boss gave his side the perfect chance to get back into the contest when he was felled in the box on 33 minutes, and after Roberts saved his spot kick the gifted youngster put away the rebound to level matters.

The away side responded well and almost regained the initiative on 36 minutes when Asa Hamilton’s shot on the turn was diverted by Nathan Woolland, and the keeper somehow kept out a strike from close range with 38 gone.

A disastrous end to the first period for the hosts saw Airbus net twice in quick succession through Sam Hart and Buckley, giving them a mountain to climb at the break.

After the interval saw the Wingmakers’ extend their cushion thanks to a Kristian Platt header, with a fifth coming midway through the half courtesy of a Joe Palmer header.

There was still time for the champions to rub further salt into the visitors’ wounds, with a sixth and final goal in the closing stages.