A second half strike from Joe Vaughan wrapped up all three points for Llanrhaeadr Ym Mochnant after a battling display against Conwy United at Treflan saw them surge to 7th in the Huws Gray Alliance.

Llan were looking to shake off a 9-0 thumping by high-flying Bangor last time out, while Conwy also arrived in patchy form having not won in five.

But any lingering doubts from that defeat at Nantporth at the beginning of November were soon laid to rest when player-manager Marc Griffiths got the home side off the mark within two minutes.

A whipped cross from the left flank by Tom Evans found Griffiths in space six yards from goal, and the former Bala Town man made no mistake, powering home a trademark header to open the scoring.

The home side had the chance to extend their lead shortly afterwards when Khyam Wytton found space on the edge of the penalty area but saw his strike whistle over the bar with Conwy's Keighan Jones beaten.

Conwy could consider themselves fortunate on the 25 minute mark, when a late challenge from the livewire Connor Harwood left Vaughan in agony on the edge of the penalty area, but to the relief of the Tangerines referee James Walker produced only a yellow card.

Moments later and slightly against the run of play, the visitors were level.

Sean McCaffrey was sent sprawling in the box, and Corrig McGonigle emphatically smashed home an equaliser from the spot.

Both sides struggled for rhythm at times on a bumpy surface at Treflan, but it was Llan who took a decisive lead on 62 minutes when Conwy keeper Jones could only parry Glenn Evans header into the path of Vaughan, who made no mistake from close range to make it 2-1.

There was still late drama to come as Llan 'keeper Jimmy Haynes produced a sensational double save to deny Connor Harwood a late equaliser, while at the other end Tom Evans was sent clean through in stoppage time but fired wide.

Elsewhere in the Huws Gray Alliance Guilsfield are now three games without a win after defeat at 5th placed Rhyl.

Gareth Partridge opened the scoring for Rhyl just before the break before the home side doubled their advantage when Cai Owen's cross was headed into his own net by the unfortunate Andy Ford. Rhyl substitute Joe Sullivan made it 3-0 just after coming on, and Rhyl added a fourth on 74 minutes when Nash got the final touch in a goalmouth scramble.

The Guils grabbed a late consolation through James Parry, but it was too little, too late as Rhyl coasted to their fourth straight victory to remain fifth in the table while Guilsfield sit two points behind Llanrhaeadr in 10th.