LLANDUDNO suffered a blow to their Europa League playoff hopes as they fell to a 4-1 reverse at Barry Town United.

The result leaves Iwan Williams’ side five points behind the South Walians having played a game more than their JD Welsh Premier League rivals, and they will look to get back to winning ways on home soil in their Welsh Cup clash with Newtown on Saturday.

Despite the eventual result it was the visitors who started the brighter of the two, and they managed to take the lead straight from the kick-off when Robbie Parry found the target after just 25 seconds of play.

Toby Jones almost doubled their advantage midway through the first period after more good work from Parry, but the home side gradually got a foothold into the game and levelled matters on 41 minutes when substitute James Demetriou made an instant impact by finishing well.

After the break saw the away side go close to regaining their advantage on 50 minutes when a Parry free-kick rattled the post with the home keeper motionless, while the impressive Jones also spurned a good chance during a dominant spell of possession.

They were made to pay for their inefficiency in-front of goal on 65 minutes when Demetriou notched his second of the evening with a fine chip over Alex Lynch, and the same player was on hand to double their advantage and net a treble on 68.

The away side tried valiantly to reduce the deficit soon after, but the United rearguard held firm in the face of stern pressure and the hosts’ sealed the points on 84 minutes when Chris Hugh produced an outstanding individual run before firing past Lynch to round off the scoring and condemn Tudno to their 11th loss in 26 top flight games this season.