HOLYHEAD Hotspur were counting the cost of missed opportunities in their narrow 1-0 loss at Guilsfield.

The Holy Islanders spurned a wealth of chances in the first period which led to their downfall during what was an otherwise encouraging display, and manager Darren Garmey will be hoping for a more clinical performance this Saturday when they welcome Ruthin Town to the New Stadium in the Huws Gray Cup quarter final (2.30pm).

The visitors opened the contest on the front foot and almost went ahead in the opening minute when Mel McGinness fizzed an effort past the post, and the same player created a chance for Luke McGivern soon after, but his strike was superbly saved by Guils’ stopper Mike Jones.

Alex Jones was the next to waste a chance when his header went over, and the away side were made to pay for their lack of conviction midway through the first period when Caio Hywel brought down Callum Bromley in the penalty area, and Steve Blenkinsop fired the spot kick past Carl Jones to open the scoring.

Things almost went from bad-to-worse for the visitors when Alex Ford’s header sailed past the post on 33 minutes, and at the other end a dominant spell from Spurs saw Jamie McDaid, Harry Galeotti, McGinness and Kenleigh Owen all fluff their lines when given chances.

After the break saw Blenkinsop glance a free header wide for the hosts as they aimed to add to their tally, and Jones was called into action at the other end when he kept out another strike from McDaid.

The away side had good spells of possession throughout the second period, but crucially they failed to find a way to penetrate the resolute Guils’ rearguard who were organised superbly by their talented stopper Jones.