Airbus’ 2-0 defeat to relegation rivals Rhyl leaves the Dafabet Welsh Premier League strugglers facing an uphill struggle to avoid the drop.
11th-placed Rhyl moved eight points clear of the struggling Wingmakers, after second-half goals from Steve Lewis and Toby Jones earned the visitors a vital win in their own battle against the drop.
The result leaves Airbus ten points off safety and manager Andy Thomas admits the future looks grim.
“It’s going to be very difficult now,” he conceded post-match. “We should’ve have come in at half-time winning the game, we had good chances and should’ve won. It’s about taking chances and we didn’t take our chances.
“Whatever happens now we’ve just got to go out and give our best.”
Rhyl are now two points from safety with Aberystwyth slipping down the table to 10th following a dramatic defeat to Llandudno.
Marc Williams netted the odd goal in seven as Llandudno ran out 4-3 winners in an enthralling encounter at Park Avenue. Luke Sherbon had a late penalty saved as Aber squandered the chance to claim a point.
Llandudno had a slender one-goal lead at half-time after recent signing Sam Hart had put them ahead from the penalty spot, but Aber rallied impressively after the break with Sherbon, Luke Borrelli and a Chris Jones penalty giving them a 3-1 lead in a frantic seven-minute period.
Mike Williams and a fine curling effort from midfielder Danny Hughes put the North Walians back on level terms before Marc William’s volley sealed a win for ‘Dudno, who remain seventh.
Newtown maintained their encouraging form as they climbed to within two-points of Llandudno after their third-straight win in Phase 2.
Ryan Kershaw and Nick Rushton gave Newtown a commanding lead against Cefn Druids with Corey Roper pulling one back for the Ancients.
At the top of the table, Bala Town took full advantage with Connah’s Quay not having a game, as they strengthened their grip on second place in the table with a narrow 1-0 win over Carmarthen Town.
Kieran Smith pounced as the ball fell loose in the Carmarthen area, giving Bala an early third minute lead. Lakesiders goalkeeper Ashley Morris was made to work hard for his clean-sheet, saving well from Ceri Morgan and Kyle Basset as Carmarthen sought an equaliser.
Bangor City’s Henry Jones was once again on the scoresheet grabbing a brace as the Citizens saw off Cardiff Met.
Jones opened the scoring, slotting the ball low past Will Fuller. Bangor doubled their advantage when leading scorer Daniel Nardiello rounded the Met keeper to leave Dean Rittenberg with an easy finish, taking his goal tally to nine. Bangor made it three before half-time when Emlyn Lewis was disposed allowing Henry Jones to score twice in successive games.
Elliot Evans threw Cardiff Met a lifeline in the second-half when his sweetly struck strike beat Connor Roberts from 20 yards. Evans then turned provider as he delivered the cross for Dan Spencer to convert, but the Students were unable to find a third as free-scoring Bangor go within a point of third-spot.
Championship Conference: Bangor 3-2 Cardiff Met, Carmarthen 0-1 Bala Town.
Play-Off Conference: Cefn Druids 1-2 Newtown, Aberystwyth 3-4 Llandudno, Airbus 0-2 Rhyl.
Featured image courtesy of Andrew Lincoln/Airbus FC UK /Welsh Premier League