HOLYHEAD Hotspur returned to winning ways after a Mel McGinness brace helped them to a 3-1 win over visiting Llandudno Junction.
Emlyn Manley-Williams’ side took advantage of leaders Holywell Town’s postponement to close the gap at the top to four points, with two games in hand over their rivals.
In wintry conditions at the New Stadium, it was the home side who started the better, and they were denied early on by ‘keeper Jamie Roberts, who tipped over a Luke Roberts header.
Mike Edwards took the resulting corner, and after a Tom Nathan Edwards flick on, Alex Jones cleared the bar with his headed effort.
Spurs got their breakthrough in the 18th minute, when ‘keeper Ben Heald sent a long free-kick into the box, McGinness met it with a firm header which hit the under-side of the bar and came to Edwards who slid in the rebound.
The hosts continued to press, and came close to extending their advantage through Kenleigh Owen’s 25th minute effort and five minutes later through Luke Roberts.
Junction’s first attack came in the 30th minute, and Jamie Jones’ dangerous cross had to be cleared off the line by Gareth Owen.
The visitors ended the first half strongly, and got their equaliser four minutes before the break, when Heald palmed a Jones free-kick as far as Robbie Williams, who guided the ball over the home defence into the far corner of the net.
Soon after the break, McGinness forced Roberts into a good save after being played through by Edwards.
Both sides went in search of the next goal, and the hosts were given a let-off on 59 minutes when Ricky Jones thundered a low daisycutter against the base of the post, with the ball rebounding away from danger.
Spurs re-took the lead in the 75th minute, when Edwards won possession in his own half, ran to the opposition area and supplied a pinpoint ball for McGuiness, who converted for the hosts at the second attempt.
Despite Junction’s best efforts, Holyhead wrapped up the three points eight minutes later when McGuiness showed his predatory streak to slip the ball beyond the onrushing Roberts in goal.
Hotspur travel to face Denbigh Town on Saturday (February 11) in the FAW Trophy Quarter Final (Kick-Off 2:30pm).