RHYL manager Eddie Maurice-Jones lambasted his side’s defensive decisions in their 4-3 loss at Guilsfield.

The Lilywhites lost further ground at the JD Cymru North summit thanks to a poor start that they were unable to recover from, leaving the title hopefuls eight points behind Prestatyn Town in sixth spot ahead of their home clash with basement dwellers Corwen on Saturday (2.30pm).

Maurice-Jones, said: “You can’t afford to come to a place like Guilsfield and make mistakes like we did, which has cost us the game really.

“To be two-down in the first 15 minutes against a team who are so compact and organised was disappointing. We made some really poor decisions which seems to be an ongoing thing lately.

“Take nothing away from Guilsfield who played well, but we gifted them goals and you cannot do that at this level. We have to start taking more responsibility.”

A disastrous start for the visitors saw them go behind after just 42 seconds when goalkeeper Rory Crowther lost possession to Adam Davies, who had the simplest of tasks to break the deadlock.

Debutant Arek Pisorski and Aaron Hassall both went close for the away side soon after the restart, but they were undone again on 11 minutes when Sam Litchfield took advantage of some hesitant defending to increase their cushion.

After the break saw the Lilies’ get themselves back into the game through a fierce effort from Leo Riley that flew past Guils’ stopper Mike Jones on 48 minutes, but more indecision at the back a minute later presented a chance to Steve Blenkinsop, who made no mistake with the finish to restore the hosts’ two-goal advantage.

Credit to the away side, they kept the pressure on and reduced the arrears yet again on 62 minutes when skipper Max Pete headed home from a corner at the far post, and they got themselves back on level terms when Piskorski turn in a delivery into the net for a debut goal with 75 on the clock.

The decisive moment arrived on 78 minutes when Chris Cathrall cut inside and drill past Crowther to give the home side a crucial victory and condemn the Lilies’ to defeat.