Llanrhaeadr 1 Denbigh Town 0

IWAN Matthews was the match winner as Llanrhaeadr breathed new life into their survival battle with a precious victory at home to Denbigh Town.

The struggling visitors arrived in need of points and went close early on with Mark Roberts testing goalkeeper Jimmy Hayns before Kristian Pierce saw his shot cleared off the line by Dan Weaver.

Llanrhaeadr weathered the torrent of Denbigh pressure and almost led with their first real attack of the game on half an hour with Matthews releasing Joe Vaughan who fired just wide.

Hayns produced saves to deny Sam Downey and Lewis Sirrell as Denbigh ended the half on top.

Denbigh began the second-half with intent as Sam Jones saw a shot blocked before Hayns was once again called upon to deny Pat Hinchcliffe.

Llanrhaeadr survived a let off on 52 minutes with Hinchcliffe setting up Roberts whose shot from the edge of the area struck the woodwork.

The hosts were stirred into action with Marc Griffiths' free-kick forcing Denbigh goalkeeper Craig Vernon into a fine save.

The fate of the game swung on a 69th minute break from Tom Evans with his right wing cross met by Matthews who turned and fired Llanrhaeadr into the lead.

Denbigh went for broke and laid siege for the remainder of the game but struggled to find a route through the home defence.

Jake Walker fired wide before Tony Davies lofted a dipping 18 yard volley over the bar as Llanrhaeadr held out to celebrate a hard fought three points to boost their survival bid.

LLANRHAEADR: Hayns, Weaver, Wytton, Bailey, Edmunds, Graham (K Evans), Thomas, J Vaughan, T Evans, Matthews, Griffiths. Subs: Lee, C Vaughan, Burgess