FLINT TOWN UNITED boss Niall McGuinness hailed a ‘fantastic’ display as his side beat Airbus 1-0 to end the Wingmakers’ 100 per cent record this term.

Played in atrocious weather conditions at Cae-Y-Castell, an early Mark Cadwallader strike proved decisive in a fiercely competitive derby.

Victory kept the Silkmen’s faint title hopes alive, though they remain 12 points adrift of the summit after Airbus had recorded 14 successive league victories.

McGuinness said: “I thought the lads bought into the gameplan and delivered it fantastically.

“To keep a clean sheet against the unbeaten league leaders is a massive statement and I thought we thoroughly deserved the points.

“In the first half especially, we were head and shoulders above Airbus and in the second we boxed them off defensively and played like warriors. Maybe now other teams will be more confident of taking points from Airbus too.”

Blustery wind and a saturated pitch restricted chances for both sides and the weather played a part in Flint’s 10th minute winner

Jacques Welsh’s lofted free-kick from the left flank caught the swirling wind and deceived Airbus keeper Dave Roberts, with the ball stopping just short of the goal line for Flint top scorer Cadwallader to poke the ball home.

The hosts could have doubled their advantage soon after, but Roberts produced a smart block to deny Brandon Burrows.

After failing to threaten the home goal in the first half, Airbus sought to use the conditions to their advantage after the break.

But a resilient Flint rearguard meant that their best chance of an equaliser came when Kristian Platt’s fiercely struck free-kick was parried by Flint stopper Aaron Jones with the home defence then blocking Curtis Strong’s shot on the rebound.

Airbus assistant manager Andy Thomas said: “The conditions and the pitch were a real leveller.

“I think the goal summed up how difficult it was, with the ball just basically catching the wind and falling kindly for them.

“After winning 14 on the bounce it’s frustrating when that run comes to end, but I know the lads here will be desperate to get back to winning ways next week.

Gresford Athletic boss Steve Halliwell said his depleted side's 2-1 win at Conwy Borough had restored his faith in his players' commitment.

Jack Chaloner's diving header put the Colliers ahead on five minutes, before Connor Harwood levelled for Borough soon afterwards.

But the visitors rallied and a 35th minute penalty converted by Jordan MacCarter clinched a first win in five matches to lift Athletic into mid-table.

Halliwell said: "It was an unbelievable performance, especially when we had six regular starters out. At times I've been critical of the players attitude and questioned their commitment, but that performance was excellent.

"We dug in and battled on in very tough conditions and showed a lot of heart.

"It was a massive win for us and one of the most pleasing for me as a manager since I came into the club."