HOLYHEAD Hotspur are still searching for their first Huws Gray Alliance point of the season after falling to a 3-2 home defeat to Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochant.

The Holy Islanders were edged out by the newly promoted side after a hugely entertaining encounter, leaving Darren Garmey’s men propping up the early standings as they prepare for a daunting trip to championship favourites Bangor City on Friday night (7.45pm).

The home side got off to a sluggish start and were made to pay on seven minutes when player-manager Marc Griffiths produced a scintillating individual run which was followed by a fine finish.

This produced a strong response from Spurs, who levelled matters after 14 minutes when Jamie McDaid reacted well to prod home from close range after his initial spot kick was saved by Connor Lee.

The talented forward was on hand to give the hosts the lead for the first time in the contest on the stroke of half-time, taking advantage of some hesitant defending to fire in his brace.

After the break saw the visitors come out with a renewed sense of purpose and they got back on level terms on 50 minutes when the Spurs rearguard failed to deal with a cross, which left Kyam Whitton with the opportunity to divert past Carl Jones to level matters once again.

They were visibly buoyed by the equaliser and crucially went ahead for a second and final time on 66 minutes when Griffiths notched his second after neat approach play from Iwan Edmunds.

The introduction of Curt Williams provided some life into the home attack, but they were unable to find a way past the Llan rearguard in the closing stages to condemn them to their fourth successive league loss.