NIALL MCGUINNESS declared himself proud as Flint Town United’s cup adventure came to an abrupt end.

Jack Kenny’s coolly taken effort just before the hour mark settled the quarter-final clash in Prestatyn’s favour as the visitors made it a hat-trick of victories over Flint in all competitions this season.

The Silkmen dominated the first-half, but couldn’t find that all-important goal with Richie Foulkes, Mark Cadwallader and Stuart Jones - twice - going close.

And the Flintshire side were made to pay, McGuinness reflecting: “I’m proud of the players, they’ve given everything for us.

“I felt, and I think it was clear for everyone to see, that it wasn’t going to be our night.

“I thought we dominated after changing our shape - which we didn’t work too much on - and we moved the ball really well, but we should have been 2-0 up.

“We’ve had good chances and the goalkeeper has pulled off a great save from Foulkes and it just didn’t drop for us when you need that little bit of luck.”

Prestatyn have taken the lead in all three meetings with Flint this season, McGuinness ruing his side’s inability to test Neil Gibson’s Seasiders’ character by scoring the opening goal.

“It would have been massive,” said McGuinness with reference to taking the lead.

“It’s happened again where they’ve gone in-front - every time we’ve played them they’ve done that - and it gets frustrating.

“I felt that they had three or four chances to our seven or eight.

“In other games we’ve taken our chances, but in the big games we haven’t, so we’ve only got ourselves to blame a little bit in that department.

“I just think it wasn’t meant to be for us.”

Prestatyn’s reward for beating Flint is a semi-final tie with The New Saints, represented by assistant manager Steve Evans at the Essity Stadium, with the Silkmen bowing out.

“I’m massively proud, but massively disappointed as well,” continued McGuinness.

“At the stage we were at and playing Prestatyn, we felt we could go one further, and if I’m honest, I think the players deserved that.

“It just wasn’t meant to be for our group of players this season, despite their best efforts.”