STEVE HALLIWELL hopes “clear the air” talks will help Gresford Athletic draw a line under their 3-0 defeat at Penrhyncoch.

Director of football Halliwell conceded that Penrhyncoch thoroughly deserved to come out on top against Gresford as Jonathan Evans, Steff Davies and Liam Lewis found the net.

The visitors then spent half an hour after the game, as well as the bus journey home, talking through what is needed for them to start climbing the table.

“I’m sick of making excuses for performances,” said Halliwell. “Too many didn’t turn up and put a shift in, it was an awful performance.

“We’ve spent 30 minutes getting things out in the open and to clear the air so that we can move on.

“There were a few home truths spoken, but it was needed after a stuttering start to the season.

“We’ve played a lot of away game, yes, but the pitches we’ve played on are decent, so the players need to start performing week in, week out.

“We just didn’t want it enough. The only player to come out of the game with any credit was Josh Griffiths, who did the job of three men.”

Penrhyncoch scorer Evans, meanwhile, was delighted with his side’s performance against Gresford.

He tweeted: “If you outwork and beat your opposite number to the battle you will always end up on top...what a fantastic team performance.”

Dan Moore insists Buckley Town will head to the training ground after they gave Prestatyn a run for their money before losing 2-1.

Aron Williams handed Buckley the lead, pictured, but Jordan Davies levelled prior to the break, before Danny Davies won it for leaders Prestatyn Town in the second period.

Buckley boss Moore was left to reflect on a missed opportunity, saying: “We’re disappointed to not have got at least a point from the game.

“We’ve missed two clear chances to score at 1-1 and 2-1 which would have probably saw us pick some points up had they gone in.

“As we did on Tuesday, we defended with great discipline and I’m proud of the way we played, but lacking that bit of quality in the penalty area has been a factor in us losing.

“Our goalkeeper hasn’t had much to do, I can’t remember him making a save, he had no chance with both goals, which we could have defended better if we’re honest with ourselves.

“We’ve got a full week ahead without a midweek game, that gives us an opportunity to work on our weak points ready for Llanrhaeadr at home on Saturday.”

Moore’s opposite number, Neil Gibson, was glad to see his side find a way.

“The most pleasing thing was the three points,” said Gibson. “The performance wasn’t anywhere near the standard we set.”

Rhyl moved up to second, three points adrift of Prestatyn after they held their nerve to win 3-2 at Llanfair United.

Asa Hamilton scored a brace of penalties and Aaron Hassall added another as Rhyl won despite two goals from Llanfair’s Paul Griffiths.

But Rhyl needed goalkeeper Keighan Jones to save a stoppage time penalty from Karl Seliaerts to secure the three points.

Llanrhaeadr’s good start to the season was dealt a blow as they were beaten 2-1 by Conwy Borough, who had Iolo Hughes and Cory Williams on target. Matty Williams scored for Llanrhaeadr.

Llyr Morris had a penalty saved by former Wrexham stopper Andy Coughlin in the first minute of stoppage time as they lost to Colwyn Bay, who won courtesy of Mitch Bryant’s effort, while Bangor City were also 1-0 away victors, beating Llangefni thanks to Francesco Serafino’s early strike.