LLANDUDNO Amateurs bowed out of the Take Stock Van Hire Challenge Cup at the first round stage with a 4-2 loss at Kinmel Bay.

Returning forward Kie Ellis notched his first goal since returning from a long injury lay-off with a sensational header on the quarter hour mark to give the home side an early lead.

This was swiftly followed by another neat passage of play on 25 minutes that presented a difficult opportunity to Jack Wilkins, who unleashed a ferocious half volley that flew into the net to double Bay’s advantage.

After the break saw the home side punished for dropping the tempo early on when Sandy Malone’s side got themselves back into the tie thanks to a well-taken effort from Joseph Jones.

The hosts used this as a wake-up call to retain their focus and they restored their two-goal cushion thanks to a clinical strike from a tight angle from Steve Flanagan with 71 on the clock.

Credit to the Amateurs, they remained undeterred following their latest setback and closed the gap yet again on 75 minutes courtesy of a neat finish from Aaron Rogers, but once again the hosts raised their game at the right time that saw Flanagan break clear for his second of the afternoon with ten remaining.

Flanagan went close to securing his hat-trick late on, but the forward opted to tee up strike partner Matty Griffiths for a chance that hit the cross bar from what turned out to be the final opportunity of note.

Mochdre Sports also exited the competition after they were downed 2-0 at home by Llannefydd thanks to goals from Elgan Roberts and Tomos Jones, but there was better fortunes for Penmaenmawr Phoenix, who booked their place in the hat with a 4-2 triumph at Pentraeth.

Russell Jones’ brace was the highlight of a superb performance from Martyn Jones’ side, with Adam Hunt and Thomas Prince also finding the net.