RHYL first team coach Alun Williams urged his side to learn from their 2-1 reverse at Penrhyncoch.

The Lilywhites’ were unable to salvage a point despite rallying late against a formidable Roosters’ rear-guard to see their hopes of a top five finish in JD Cymru North dealt a blow, and they face another stern test of their credentials this Saturday during a home clash against in-form Guilsfield.

Williams, said: “All credit to Penrhyncoch who came in with a game plan and executed it, but we have to understand that as Rhyl Football Club we set our standards and have to meet them.

“We brought in some real quality to the squad and thought we did well in the first half, but the second was frustrating as when a team sits in like they did then you cannot just sling long balls down their neck and expect to win.

“That’s not our style of play and not what we work on in training, we seemed to panic and were more worried about losing the game that going on to win it.

“Guilsfield will be another very difficult game and we have to learn from this going into this week, the rest of the season and next season that it is all well and good turning up against the big teams like Prestatyn and Colwyn Bay, but you have to compete against these sorts of teams as well.”

Chances were at a premium during the opening exchanges as both sides adjusted to the conditions, with Sam Molyneux and Jonathan Evans trading opportunities before eventually falling short.

The visitors spurned a golden chance on 28 minutes when defender Ben Nash flashed an effort narrowly wide, and Ilan ap Gareth’s goalbound attempt was superbly blocked by a Pen defender with 32 on the clock.

After the break saw the Lilies’ play with the wind at their backs that resulted in the home side sitting very deep during the majority of the second half, but they took full advantage of a rare opportunity on 57 minutes when Stef Davies was allowed the freedom of Cae Baker before firing past Rory Crowther.

Things went from bad to worse for the away side soon after as Tomos Evans converted a rebound to double the Roosters’ advantage after Ifan Burrel’s initial shot was parried by Crowther.

Midfielder Dave MacIntyre did manage to pull a goal back for Eddie Maurice-Jones’ side on 87 minutes, but it failed to have a significant impact on the overall outcome.