BANGOR City manager Pedro Pasculli picked up his first league win since taking over at the helm thanks to a 2-1 derby day triumph at Rhyl.

The Citizens’ remained resolute to secure a morale-boosting victory against their fierce rivals on the road, leaving them in tenth spot ahead of a crunch JD Cymru North trip to Colwyn Bay on Friday night.

Ross Stephens fired an effort over for the home side in the opening minute, but the influential midfielder was forced off with injury soon after to further deplete a squad that was already missing Cai Owen and Gethin Maxwell due to family commitments.

A serious of robust challenges from the visitors went unpunished by referee Aled Williams during the opening exchanges, with Francesco Leghissa going close for City when he shot was parried away from danger by Rory Crowther.

Emmanuel Agyemang went into the book for a bad challenge on Max Peate, and the forward notched the opener in controversial fashion on 34 minutes when he capitalised on a Ben Burrows error to find the net, which Williams allowed despite the assistant referee flagging for offside.

The Lilies’ responded well to the setback and got back on level terms when an Aaron Hassall cross was met by Sam Molyneux, who headed past Gabriele Brino on 39 minutes for the equaliser.

Pasculli’s men regrouped well and managed to regain the initiative a minutes before the break thanks to a near-post header from Simone Rea, who steered in a Massimo Sammartino cross to restore the away side’s slender cushion.

More controversy arrived in first half stoppage time when Piero Cauterucci retreated from a foul that would have resulted in a red card, with Williams instead booking the wrong player and showing Leghissa a yellow card.

After the break saw Hassall and Arek Piskorski both spurn good opportunities for the home side, but despite controlling possession for long periods they were unable to come up with anything further of note in the final third as the City rear-guard held firm in the face of sustained pressure.

Substitute Callum Roberts’ late effort was superbly diverted by Brino as the Citizens’ held on for their first three points under their World Cup winning manager.