CYMRU ALLIANCE leaders Airbus surrendered their 100 per cent home record as Dave Hayes’ contentious second half header earned Prestatyn Town a 2-1 victory.

The Wingmakers had recorded nine successive league victories at the Airfield this term, but the fortress was finally breached by Neil Gibson’s resurgent Town side.

Defeat saw the Flintshire side’s lead at the summit cut to 10 points, rekindling the faint title hopes of rivals Porthmadog, Bangor and Flint.

Airbus assistant manager Andy Thomas said: “Conceding two sloppy goals and our wastefulness were the two most frustrating elements for us.

“Whether or not their second goal should have stood, I don’t know, but the fact is we created more than enough to win the game and haven’t punished Prestatyn.

“We’ve got a really important run of games coming up and we’ll be looking to bring in one or two new faces in to freshen up the squad this week.”

The visitors’ Ian Griffiths forced Dave Roberts into a smart save in the opening minutes and the keeper then made another good stop from Alex Jones.

But Airbus began to assert themselves and went close when Joe Chaplin’s strike was diverted by keeper Ryan Woods.

But it was Town who broke the deadlock on 36 minutes when Roberts found himself in no man’s land in an effort to halt the run of Ben Maher and Griffiths was left to fire into an empty net.

Airbus stepped-up a gear after the break and were back on level terms when Kristian Platt fired home from 12 yards after a skirmish in the box.

Prestatyn then hit a post while Curtis Strong headed against the crossbar from close range, but the visitors restored their lead on 74 minutes when the referee ruled-out a Dave Hayes header only to change his decision with Airbus attacking at the other end on the intervention of one of his assistants.

Lewis Buckley, Steve Tomassen, Nathan Quirk and Chaplin all went close but Airbus were unable to conjure another goal in the closing stages.

A CLINICAL first half display helped Flint Town United to a 4-1 triumph at basement side Holyhead Hotspur.

Four first half goals paved the way for a convincing victory for Niall McGuiness’ side who remain fourth in the Alliance standings.

Positive from the outset, Flint made the breakthrough on 29 minutes when Kyle Smyth’s fine strike from 25 yards found the top corner.

The lead was doubled three minutes later when Smyth’s measured through-ball found Luke Blondel who fired past Hotspur keeper Carl Jones from six yards.

It was 3-0 on 38 minutes Richie Foulkes netted from the spot after a foul on Smyth,

And it got even better for the visitors just before the break when Andy Brown fired home a fourth.

A less frenetic second half followed, with a solitary Mel McGuinness effort reducing the arrears for the Harbourmen.

Flint McGuinness said: “I asked for the lads to wrap the game up early on - they did it brilliantly.

“We started so well and just went at them from the first whistle. It was a really professional performance all round - the only criticism being that we couldn’t keep a clean sheet.”

Holywell Town boss John Haseldin felt his side ‘deserved more’ from their 2-1 defeat at Ruthin Town.

The Wellmen enjoyed the best of a goalless first half, with Steve Lewis and Aaron Pomeyie both hitting the woodwork.

But the hosts took the lead in fortuitous style soon after the restart when Llyr Morris’ tame shot took a deflection and beat Wellmen keeper Mike Platt.

The visitors were then denied a penalty when Lewis was brought down inside the box but the referee waved play on.

Undeterred, the leveller arrived on 67 minutes when Matty Harvey met a good ball into the box and his looping header found the net.

Holywell then pursued a winner, but they were undone when a long ball over the top of their defence was slotted home by Thomas Roberts.

Ruthin keeper Ryan Goldston then produced several excellent saves in the closing stages to deny Holywell as they sought to salvage a point late on.

Haseldin said: “We were unlucky I thought and we were good value for at least a point. It’s frustrating because we haven’t taken our chances and we’ve also seen two strong penalty shouts turned down. Ultimately though, we’ve been undone by a soft long-ball over the top.”

Steve Halliwell hailed an ‘outstanding’ display from his Gresford Athletic side after a 2-0 home victory over Denbigh Town.

A goal in each half from centre half Jack Jones helped the Colliers to their third victory from their last four outings.

Jones put the hosts ahead on seven minutes, heading home at close range from Tom Freeman’s inswinging corner.

Gresford went close to extending their lead before the interval, with Freeman’s free-kick sailing narrowly wide of the target before Sam Molyneux struck the post with a well-hit shot.

Denbigh began the second half positively, with Pat Hinchcliffe seeing his goal ruled out for a foul in the build-up.

But their hopes of a fightback were extinguished when captain Tony Davies was sent off for a second bookable offence on 56 minutes.

And Gresford wrapped up victory six minutes later when Jones beat Denbigh keeper Craig Vernon with a curling left-footed effort from the edge of the box.

Halliwell said: “I thought the lads were absolutely outstanding.

“All credit to our groundsman too, who worked on the pitch all week and got it in good condition - that helped us get the ball down and play the way we like to.

“I’m really pleased for Jack, who’s been immense for us this season.

“He took both of his goals really well and performed great defensively.

“And overall I felt every single one of the players was up for it and produced a big performance to keep this good run going.”

Buckley Town lost 2-0 at home to Bangor City, with late strikes from Marc Williams and Sam Jones settling the contest.

Second-placed Porthmadog were 4-2 victors against Penrhyncoch, Conwy Borough triumphed 2-1 at Guilsfield, while Rhyl beat Llanrhaeadr 3-1.