‘A PROFESSIONAL performance in horrendous conditions’ was Andy Thomas’ view as league leaders Airbus triumphed 3-2 against a spirited Denbigh Town side at Maes Tegid.

With Denbigh’s Central Park pitch saturated after days of heavy rain, the game was switched to Bala’s 3G surface, where more torrential rain and swirling winds awaited the teams.

But it was the Airmen who adapted best to the elements to clinch a result that has potentially put them one win away from the league title.

“It was probably the worst weather I’ve ever seen a game played in”, said assistant manager Thomas.

"Credit to both sets of players for producing a really committed performance, because the wind had such a big impact on the game.

"But I felt we really got the job done with a professional performance in such horrendous conditions.”

Relegation-threatened Denbigh made a bright start and were ahead inside the first minute after Kristian Pierce was brought down inside the box and the midfielder dispatched the resultant spot-kick beyond Airbus keeper Dave Roberts.

Pierce then tested Roberts again with a shot from the edge of the box, before Airbus drew level on 12 minutes when Asa Hamilton nodded home from close range.

Denbigh continued to threaten, but it was the Flintshire side who led at the break through Nathan Woolfe’s tap-in after Vernon had parried Ryan Edwards’ 35th minute strike.

A good spell of Town pressure early in the second half failed to yield a leveller and they found themselves further behind when a long ball upfield found Hamilton in space and, with Vernon advancing, he coolly lobbed the keeper to make it 3-1.

Undeterred, Denbigh continued to threaten and reduced arrears on 78 minutes when Pierce jinked inside from the right flank and unleashed a fine shot which flew beyond Roberts and into the back of the net.

Airbus then withstood a late spell of pressure to close out their 20th win of the season and extend their lead at the summit to 12 points.

Steve Halliwell asserted that his Gresford Athletic side deserved more from their goalless home draw with Ruthin own.

The Colliers have cultivated a reputation as draw specialists, and recorded their ninth stalemate of the season in the Clappers Lane clash.

Ruthin enjoyed the better of the first half and came closest to an opener when Ryan Jones struck the crossbar just before the interval.

But Gresford produced a more fluent second half display with Jack Jones heading just wide soon after the restart, before Sam Pilkington’s curling effort drifted just wide of the upright.

Jordan McCarter’s snapshot then drew a smart save from Town stopper Ryan Goldston, before the Gresford striker saw a late effort crash off the post and a follow-up shot scrambled off the line.

The point saw Gresford climb to sixth in the table, but Halliwell felt that his side’s strong second half showing went unrewarded.

He said: “Playing against the wind in the first half was tough and we were aware of the quality Ruthin have after the results they’ve picked up lately.In the second half we were so much better and on another day we could have had two or three.”

“The performance deserved more, but it’s not the worst point considering the conditions and the quality of the opposition.”