RHYL moved up to second in the JD Cymru North standings with a dramatic 3-2 success at newly promoted Llanfair United.

The Lilywhites’ looked in complete control before eventually securing three points thanks to a late penalty miss, and Eddie Maurice-Jones’ men only have coastal rivals Prestatyn Town above them ahead of their next outing at home to Penrhyncoch on Saturday (2.30pm).

After a cagey opening to proceedings which saw little on the way of goalmouth activity, the visitors had a golden chance to break the deadlock on 19 minutes when Asa Hamilton was felled in the box, and the striker dusted himself off to put away the spot kick and open the scoring.

The hosts wasted little time in getting themselves back on level terms as Karl Seliaerts took advantage of some hesitant defending to tee up Paul Griffiths, who fired past Keighan Jones with 23 on the clock.

Cai Owen went close to restoring the Lilies’ advantage on the half hour mark when his rousing effort was superbly diverted by Mark Griffiths, but the away side were awarded another penalty soon after when Steve Thomas was adjudged to have been impeded by Alun Hughes.

Once again it was Hamilton who was tasked with putting away the spot kick, which he managed to do with aplomb to restore his side’s slender advantage.

Former Airbus Broughton striker almost secured his hat-trick after the break when his attempt sailed narrowly over during the opening exchanges, but they did manage to gain further success in front of goal on 57 minutes thanks to another incredible strike from Aaron Hassall, who demonstrated his prowess on the ball before firing a 20-yard effort that gave Griffiths no chance.

Credit to the home side, who remained undeterred despite their latest setback and got themselves back into the tie on 64 minutes when a Paul Griffiths corner caused havoc in the visiting area as it sailed past Jones and straight into the net.

The telling moment of the contest arrived in stoppage time as Jones somehow spilled a long delivery upfield before bundling over Seliaerts, but the summer signing atoned for his error by turning away the same player’s penalty to give his side the win.