A HAT-TRICK from striker Sam Molyneux saw Gresford Athletic storm back from two goals down to clinch a thrilling 4-3 extra-time victory over a spirited visiting Brickfield Rangers.

The hosts were left stunned as the Welsh National League side opened up a two-goal lead before the interval with a quickfire brace from Danny Wynne.

The opener came on 29 minutes as Wynne’s smart finish beat Gresford keeper Ben Jones, before the Rangers forward repeated the feat three minutes later.

Gresford rallied and almost reduced arrears just before the break when Niall Freeman’s powerfully-struck free-kick smashed against the underside of the crossbar but failed to cross the line.

With a cup upset seemingly imminent, Molyneux led the Gresford response against his former club after the restart, with a neat turn and finish to make it 2-1 on 57 minutes.

The Colliers were level two minutes later when Molyneux’s powerful header found the net via the post and the comeback looked to be complete when Kieran Evans slotted home on 68 minutes.

Rangers dug deep, however, and forced extra-time when Alan Bull’s strike made it 3-3 with just seven minutes remaining.

The sides were inseparable for much of the additional half an hour until Gresford centre back Joe Davies was brought down inside the box with three minutes remaining.

Molyneux stepped up and coolly slotted the resulting spot-kick home to put the hosts into the second round.

Gresford boss Steve Halliwell said: “It was a great derby game for the neutral, but less so for me.

“We never really got started in the first half. There was no intensity and it looked like we were going through the motions. There were a few words spoken at half-time and the response was excellent - we were much stronger.

“Having gone 3-2 up we could have made it four or five before we were pegged back again. The legs were tiring late on and I was all set for penalties late on, but we’ve given ourselves a chance before the shoot-out and all credit to Sam who deserved his hat-trick.”

Goals from Myles Hart and Richie Foulkes saw Flint Town United progress in their all-Cymru Alliance clash at Llanrhaeadr.

Played on a challenging Llan pitch, it was the visitors who adjusted to the conditions better as the half wore on with Hart’s header from eight yards breaking the deadlock on 37 minutes.

The goal settled the Silkmen, who doubled their lead on the hour mark when Foulkes converted from the penalty spot after Llan’s Dan Kelly brought down Kyle Smyth.

Llan reduced arrears on 85 minutes from an Iain Edmonds penalty, but Flint held firm late on to retain their second round berth.

Silkmen boss Niall McGuinness said: “I’m really pleased with how we adjusted to a pitch which was left long and made any kind of passing football difficult.

“As a team we don’t really like adopting long ball tactics, which isn’t our style of play.

“But it was a case of needs must and I think we showed we can be successful when we have to play more directly too, which was a real positive.”

Andy Thomas hailed a ‘professional’ display as in-form Airbus cruised to a 4-0 victory over hosts Penycae.

The hosts put up a solid defensive display in the first half with keeper Matt Griffiths in fine form to keep out a Matty McGinn free-kick and a Ryan Edwards strike.

The deadlock was finally broken when Edwards played in Joe Chaplin who took his chance well to send Airbus into the break with a valuable lead.

Soon after the interval, Riley produced a spectacular effort from 22 yards to defeat Griffiths again and, from then on, Airbus were in control.

Kristian Platt added a deflected effort, before a long ball over the top then found Chaplin who lobbed a shot over the advancing Griffiths and into the net.

Sub Asa Hamilton drew another excellent save from Griffiths and Steve Tomassen saw his header blocked with Joe Palmer firing the rebound over the bar.

Wingmakers assistant boss Thomas said: “Credit to Penycae, they made life tough for us in the first half and made us work hard in front of goal.

“But we kept to our game plan and maintained a professional performance for the full 90 minutes.

“We kept going and continued to create opportunities as the game wore on and we’ve come away with a convincing win and another clean sheet, which is really pleasing.”

Penycae manager Ian Andrews said: Despite losing 4-0, I think our young side acquitted themselves really well and Airbus knew they had been in a game.”

Holywell Town crashed out of the competition as they let a two-goal advantage slip in a 3-2 extra-time loss at Caersws.

Despite a lively opening 45 minutes, the game remained goalless at half-time before springing to life after the restart when Shaun Tuck rounded keeper Luke Evans before firing home the opener.

The Wellmen doubled their lead on 52 minutes when Steve Lewis’ composed finish found the net.

The visitors then spurned a chance to go three up when Sam Jones’ penalty was superbly saved by Evans after substitute Josh Maldon had been brought down inside the box.

And the visitors were punished late on as the hosts produced a fight back at the death with Elliot Jones’ 88th minute strike preceding an injury-time leveller from Ryan Davis.

The mid-Wales side completed the comeback five minutes into extra-time when Josh Jones prodded the ball home after Holywell’s debutant keeper Antoni Sarnowski had parried an earlier effort.

Things got worse for Town, who were unable to find an equaliser of their own before Matty Harvey was dismissed for a second bookable offence.

Buckley Town avoided an upset as they came from behind to run out 3-1 winners at home to former Welsh National League rivals Brymbo.

A brace from Callum Humphries and an Aron Williams strike saw off the visitors’ challenge after Jamie Cummings had put them ahead.

Manager Dan Moore had demanded the ‘right attitude’ from his side for the clash and was left satisfied with the win despite title-chasing Brymbo taking the lead.

He said: ‘We’re pleased to get through what could have become a difficult game, these games have the potential to go very badly wrong and the attitude of our players was exactly what’s required.

“We let ourselves down for their goal with some poor defending but other than that I think our keeper had one other save to make in the entire game. After the first 25 minutes we were in control and deserved the win.

“The reaction from the players to come from behind and win so convincingly was superb.”

Mold Alex put up a gallant display at Bangor City, who saw boss Craig Harrison leave to become first team coach at Connah’s Quay Nomads last week.

Mold went out 4-2 with Terry Pughe and Callum Freeman grabbing their goals.

Bangor, who had director of football Stephen Vaughan Jnr in charge for the game, now take their place in today’s second round draw.

Coedpoeth United were left broken hearted after they surrendered a 2-1 lead with seconds remaining at home against higher league Ruthin Town.

Curtis Griffiths and Ollie Lewis scored and Cymru Alliance side Ruthin looked on their way out, but Lewis Turner and Osian Davies scored in stoppage time to seal a remarkable 3-2 win. Ryan Jones was Ruthin’s other scorer.

Cefn Albion kicked off the action on Friday night in style as they recorded a 7-1 thrashing of Dolgellau Athletic.

A crowd of 300 watched the tie at The Rock where Callum Taylor scored after two minutes.

Man of the match Alex Williams hit a hat-trick with Nic Jones and Jimmy Jones also on the scoresheet.

Guilsfield accounted for Rhostyllen 2-0 while Hawarden Rangers were disappointed to go down 3-2 at home to Llanfair United.

Paul Griffiths and Ryan McVay put the visitors in front but Rangers levelled the tie through Tom Bridges and Nick Henderson only for United to bag a late winner through Josh Ashley.

Holyhead Hotspur produced an impressive performance in a 4-2 win over much-fancied Corwen, for whom striker Sam Henry scored twice.

Llay Welfare progressed 2-0 against Rhydymwyn with manager Mike Gadie saying: “Although I thought we were very slow to get out the blocks in the first-half, I felt our fitness and discipline got us over the line.

“A super free-kick from Matthew Worrall and a late goal from Mikey Wright sealed the win.”

Prestatyn Town eased to a 5-1 win over New Brighton Villa, for whom Sam Wainwright netted.

Denbigh Town were the day’s highest scorers as they hammered Holyhead Town 9-0,

Conwy Borough lost 2-1 at home to Rhyl, Porthmadog recorded a 3-0 success in their north Wales coast derby at Pwllheli, while Berriew advanced to round two with a penalty shoot-out win over Penrhyncoch after the game ended 2-2 in extra-time.