Newtown 1 Rhyl 2

Newtown suffered a JD Welsh Cup upset as Rhyl hit back to prevail in the ran at Latham Park.

Ex-Newtown player James Murphy revelled with a superb display for the Seasiders while another ex-Robin in Gareth Partridge was among the visitors' scorers.

The Robins were forced into changes with defenders Craig Williams and Callum Roberts suspended while forward Steve Leslie was also rested for the visit of the Huws Gray Alliance side.

It meant a rare place on the bench for coach Gavin Cadwallader as Newtown's injury and suspension list continues to stretch an already thin squad to breaking point.

Rhyl hit the ground running with Kristian Pierce firing wide while ex-Robin Murphy also stretched the home defence during the opening 20 minutes with several probing runs.

In comparison the home side overcame a sluggish start to lead with their first real attack of the day with Neil Mitchell sweeping home Joe Kenton's 22nd minute cross to break the deadlock.

Newtown enjoyed plenty of possession but struggled to inflict further damage with their final ball found wanting with Rhyl goalkeeper Rory Crowther making several brave interceptions

Ethan Jones and Nick Rushton tried their luck either side of the break but as the rain lightened the Robins took their foot off the pedal and allowed Rhyl back into the tie.

Rhyl broke from midfield through Aaron Hassell who fed Murphy before crossing for Gareth Partridge to blast home an equaliser against his former club on the hour.

Just four minutes later and Newtown were undone again with Max Peate afforded the freedom of Latham Park to saunter out of the Rhyl defence and release Murphy whose right wing cross fell kindly for Hassell who swept beyond goalkeeper Dave Jones from 16 yards to the delight of the travelling faithful.

Newtown still had more than 20 minutes to save the tie with Rushton and Ethan Jones each firing wide while Rhyl could have extended their lead only for Hassall to fire straight at Jones.

Both sides created chances late on with Joe Kenton denied by man of the match Crowther while at the other end Hassall and Partridge fired wide before Jones saved at the feet of Murphy.

Rhyl time wasting failed to be clamped down as the tie wore on and the Robins became increasingly frustrated as home fans headed to the gates early with their Welsh Cup dreams over for another season while also representing an end to Newtown's unbeaten home record.

NEWTOWN: D Jones, Kenton, Cook, Bailey, Mills-Evans, Denny, Fletcher, Mitchell, Rushton, E Jones, Phillips. Subs: Leslie, Boundford, Cadwallader, Evans, Perry.