HOLYHEAD Hotspur’s Huws Gray Alliance survival hopes were given a boost with a fine 3-2 home victory over Rhyl.

The Holy Islanders emerged from Friday night’s clash against the Lilywhites with a vital three points that moves them to within six of safety, and Darren Garmey’s men will be aiming to take this positive momentum into Saturday’s crunch clash at third-from-bottom Holywell Town (2.30pm).

The visitors almost went ahead on 18 minutes when Mike Pritchard forced Carl Jones into a smart stop after good work from James Murphy, and Spurs went ahead soon after when a long clearance fell into the path of talisman Mel McGinness, who continued his fine recent form with a well-taken effort to put his side in front.

Pritchard and Murphy both went within inches of levelling matters throughout the first period, with Tomos Clarke firing wide at the other end after an impressive run.

After the break saw the home side double their tally on 47 minutes when Chris Jones turned in a cross from close range, but this joy proved to be short lived as the Lilies reduced the deficit through defender Ben Nash with 53 gone.

The away side piled on the pressure thereafter with Sam Molyneux, Kai Wallis and Barry Torrence both spurning good chances, and they were made to pay on 82 minutes when John Littlemore reacted first to steer in a chance and restore their two-goal cushion.

A nervy ending was assured when Wallis turned in a Murphy cross on 88 minutes, but the talented youngster was shown a red card in the dying stages as the home side held on for a morale boosting success.