KINMEL Bay began the second half of their Lock Stock Welsh Alliance Division Two campaign with a 1-1 drat at home to Mochdre Sports.

The improving side were unable to hold on to an advantage late in the first period and had to settle for a share of the spoils, leaving them in sixth spot and nine behind league-leading Y Felinheli ahead of their trip to Pwllheli next Saturday.

A strong start from the home side saw them go close early on when a thumping effort from Kie Ellis was superbly thwarted by Ashley Dickenson at the near post, but they finally managed to break the deadlock on 42 minutes when prolific striker Matty Griffiths continued his excellent recent form in front of goal when his corner evaded everyone and sailed into the net.

This joy proved to be short lived thanks to an outstanding response from the visitors, who restored parity to the score-line on 44 minutes when Zack Gidlow reacted first to a loose ball before producing a composed finish to leave things all to play for at the break.

After the interval saw Matthew Marsh-Evans hit the target only for the successful attempt to be ruled out for an earlier infringement, and Dan Wickerson’s powerful shot skimmed the upright during a dominant spell from the hosts.

Griffiths was looking lively once again midway through the half and had a goal-bound opportunity saved in fine style by Dickenson, and Bay’s lack of efficiency in the final third was evident once again with five remaining as Marsh-Evans failed to convert a good chance after good approach play by Ellis.

The stalemate ends a largely positive 2019 for the fourth-tier side, who have lost just once on home soil so far this season and find themselves in the higher echelons of the standings.