HOLYHEAD Hotspur progressed to the Barritt Cup second round with a last-gasp 2-1 home win over Penrhyndeudraeth.
The Lock Stock Welsh Alliance Division One leaders made hard work of their passage to the next stage of the competition thanks to misfortune in front of goal and a spirited display from Pen, who had been heavily beaten by the Holy Islanders’ earlier on in the campaign.
Spurs’ boss Darren Garmey, said: “It was a frustrating afternoon on the whole. After putting eight goals past them a couple of months back, we knew we were in for a totally different game and the windy conditions made it more of a leveller.
“The first half was tight as we played into the breeze with us not creating anything but also restricting them to shots from distance.
“However, the second half was all one-way traffic and the 2-1 score line does not tell the full story with us hitting the woodwork five times and creating loads of chances.
“But we have progressed and that is all that matters today.”
A scoreless first period was brought to life after the break when Stephen Hughes pounced on 52 minutes to give the away side a shock lead at The New Stadium.
This was met by a swift response by the hosts, who pulled level on 57 minutes when Deian Parry’s impressive ability to find space paid dividends with a neat finish.
With the game heading for extra-time, the home side managed to avoid further complications in the tie by snatching victory at the death thanks to a strike from Rob Jones a minute from time.
Garmey’s men turn their attention to their promotion push once again this Saturday when they host struggling Prestatyn Sports, before closing out the calendar year at Mynydd Llandegai on December 28.
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