LLANGEFNI Town manager Chris Roberts was thrilled with his side’s second half display in their narrow 2-1 loss at Rhyl.

The newly promoted side gave the JD Cymru North title hopefuls a real run for their money during another hugely encouraging display, and Cefni face another massive week of action that sees them welcome Colwyn Bay on Tuesday evening and travel to Conwy Borough on Saturday.

Roberts, said: “It was a game of two halves really and I think a lack of concentration for the first and second goals have cost us.

“Saying that, the second half I thought the lads outstanding and there was only one team in it. We put the pressure on and played the high press and had it not been for a great save from their keeper it could have been 2-2, so plenty of positives to take.

“Rhyl are a very good side and I thought in the first half we showed them a little too much respect, but in the second we won a lot more possession and to perform like we did against a top side can only be a positive.”

A cagey opening to proceedings saw the home side struggle to penetrate the fierce Cefni resistance, who set up extremely well, but the deadlock was finally broken on 24 minutes when James Murphy sent Sam Molyneux through on goal, and the forward produced a confident finish past Tyler French to open his account for the season.

Things got even better for the Lilies’ immediately following the restart as Murphy unleashed a superb left-footed effort that flew into the corner to double their advantage.

The hosts were in complete control for the remainder of the first period without adding to their tally, and Cefni got themselves back into the game after the break when Alun Roberts bundled the ball into the net from close range following a corner with 49 on the clock.

This visibly buoyed the away side as they went in search of a leveller, which almost arrived on 66 minutes when Jake Jones forced Keighan Jones into a smart stop after some exceptional individual work from livewire striker Matthew Jones.

A fine run and cross from Cai Owen narrowly evaded Asa Hamilton as the home side looked to seal the win, but they managed to hold on in the face of some consistent pressure late on to pick up another notable success.