CARETAKER boss Andrew Ruscoe was full of praise for the youthful Prestatyn Town side that travelled to Gresford Athletic over the weekend.

While five-goal Joe Chaplin inspired Gresford to a 7-0 success, Ruscoe could not fault his players, as Prestatyn ended the game with nine players.

"I couldn't have asked any more from the lads in the current circumstances," said Ruscoe.

"In the first 40 minutes I thought we competed.

"We did compete with seven local U19 lads."

Seventeen-year-old Harrison Roberts didn't look out of place at the heart of the defence.

Going into the contest on the back of their morale-boosting triumph at Buckley Town, Gresford began by having most of the possession and they deservedly claimed the lead in the 13th minute.

Simon Smith's corner was headed into the net by Joe Chaplin, who would definitely enjoy his day.

Things then went from bad to worse for Prestatyn when Kyle Parle was shown a harsh initial yellow card, but he then picked up a second booking just a minute later for arguing with the referee.

This left the visitors with 10 men and with a mountain to climb.

Chaplin proceeded to piled on the misery in the 38th minute, grabbing his goal following Danny Holland's assist.

The goals would continue into the second half, with Chaplin completing his hat-trick in the 62nd minute on the back of another Simon Smith assist.

Prestatyn suffered another blow just a minute later as they were reduced to nine men.

Substitute Ryan Gordon was the player red-carded.

Continuing on his merry way, Chaplin grabbed his fourth goal in the 65th minute, with substitute Alex Buxton making the assist.

Simon Smith made it five for Gresford courtesy of a fantastic free kick two minutes later.

It was 6-0 with a quarter-of-an-hour remaining, with Chaplin turning creator.

His lovely through ball set up Smith for his second of the afternoon.

One further goal would arrive and it came with eight minutes remaining.

Nathan Williams set it up and man of the match Chaplin scored his fifth of the afternoon.