PRESTEIGNE were bailed out by a late penalty from Danny Tolley, as Dolgellau almost left Llanandras Park with a smash and grab victory.
David Edwards produced a cool lob over a stranded Ian Havard, to give Dolgellau a surprise 30th minute lead from 30 yards.
Earlier Presteigne had thrown down the gauntlet with Nick Evans missing a succession of gaping chances in the early stages.
It was more of the same after the break, with Presteigne completely dominant, only to be frustrated by the patched-up defence without the outstanding Shane Sutton.
However the hosts were awarded a controversial penalty and a route back into the game when Sam Williams' shot struck a flailing arm, with Tolley stepping up to slot home the resulting penalty.
PRESTEIGNE: Havard, G Evans, Boundford, Ruell, Broome, D Tolley, Keating, T Evans, L Jones, Williams, N Evans. Subs: Watkins, A Jones
DOLGELLAU: Humphreys, Kojs, Roberts, Sutton, M Parkes, M Parkes, D Jones, Morris, Edwards, G Lloyd, Dafydd. Sub: Littleton