FLINT TOWN UNITED lost ground in their Cymru North title challenge after a 2-1 home reverse to Colwyn Bay.

The Silkmen are now five points adrift of pacesetters Prestatyn Town after falling to their third league defeat of the season to date.

Reflecting on the defeat to their third-placed rivals, Flint boss Niall McGuinness wrote on Twitter: “Not at our best today @FlintTownFC. Dust ourselves off and prepare for next week.

“Credit to @ColwynBayFC and @Craig_Hogg. Good competitive game of football.”

The hosts made a bright start to the game and were almost ahead after just two minutes when Callum Bratley slipped in Nathan Brown, whose shot struck the angle of crossbar and post.

The opener arrived from a corner just two minutes later when Bratley fired home from close range after a glancing flick-on from Richie Foulkes.

Colwyn Bay grew steadily into the contest and earned a lifeline on 37 minutes when they were awarded a penalty after Tom Kemp blocked the on-running former Airbus striker Joe Chaplin.

Seagulls skipper Tom McCready took the spot-kick, but saw his effort brilliantly saved by John Danby in the Flint goal.

With their slender advantage intact at half-time, Flint looked set to extend their unbeaten run to nine games.

But the visitors had other ideas and were back on terms on 52 minutes when former Chester and Nomads keeper Danby did well to repel an effort Mitch Bryant, but was powerless to stop Julian Williams from driving the follow-up into the corner of the net.

Flint pushed to regain their advantage, with Brown seeing a close-range effort blocked before Alex Titchiner’s effort from outside the box cleared the bar.

The winner arrived on 69 minutes when a Bay free-kick into the box was only half cleared and William Bell lashed home with a fierce first-time strike.

Bryant spurned a decent chance to bag a third for his side, before Bay were reduced to 10 men in the closing stages after defender Darren Thornton picked in two bookings in quick succession.

Bay manager Craig Hogg was impressed by his side’s performance against tough opposition.

He said: “The lads were outstanding again, and they had to be, because you know exactly what you are up against when you play Flint away.

“Flint are a top side, with a good management team who all give everything for the shirt.

“We had to be that and more yet again and I felt we did that in bucket loads.

“The lads showed a maturity and dogged determination in their play that spoke volumes of the dressing room we have here at the Bay.

“I really can’t speak highly enough of everyone in our dressing room again.

“We were disappointed to be a goal down early on, but once we got to grips with the first 15 minutes, we looked very assured and at both ends of the pitch. We looked a threat for the majority of the game and likely to score.”

Victory saw Hogg’s side close to within eight points of Flint with a game in hand.

Prestatyn Town extended their advantage at the Cymru North summit with a comfortable 4-1 home win over Corwen.

The Seasiders’ emerged with three points against the newly-promoted strugglers with minimal fuss to bolster their title hopes.

Former Connah’s Quay Nomads man Rob Hughes (pictured) netted all four goals for the hosts.

Hughes netted from the penalty spot on 16 minutes, converting his spot-kick after Corwen keeper Dylan Jones had brought down Jordan Davies inside the box.

The advantage was doubled early in the second half when Hughes shook off two defenders before slotting home his second of the game.

He completed his hat-trick on the hour mark before striking again seven minutes later to underline his side’s dominance of proceedings.

Dale Davies bagged a consolation for Corwen when he found space and rifled home with a fierce drive.

The visitors could have clawed another goal back late on, but Adam Williams put his effort narrowly over the bar after some neat interplay.

The result leaves Corwen lying 16th in the table while Prestatyn are now in pole position with a five-point cushion at the top.

Ruthin Town are up to 10th after a 3-1 home win over Penrhyncoch.

The hosts came from behind in the clash with a brace from Llyr Morris eventually securing the points.

Llangefni Town moved further clear of the drop zone with a goalless draw at home to Rhyl.