LLANDUDNO Junction bowed out of the Huws Gray Cup after an emphatic 7-0 quarter final home defeat to Rhyl.

It was another difficult afternoon for the Railwaymen in what has been a troubled season operating in the second tier, and things do not get any easier for the basement dwellers this Saturday when they made the difficult trip to title chasing Holywell Town (2.30pm).

The away side made a strong start to the tie and they went ahead on seven minutes when a Tom Hartley free-kick found its way past home custodian Ryan Woods.

After missing a host of chances throughout the first period, the Lilies final doubled their advantage just before the break when referee Cheryl Foster pointed to the spot after Alun Webb had been foul, and Stewart Carroll stroked the penalty home in emphatic fashion.

Webb got the ball rolling following the interval when he pounced on 53 minutes, and the visitors booked their place in the next round a minute later when new signing James Murphy marked his first start with a finish from close range.

The outstanding Murphy managed to secure his second of the afternoon on 64 minutes when he found the net after good approach play from Phil Marsh and Danny Holland, and the former Newtown man was on target yet again on 77 to complete his hat-trick.

There was still time for the Lilies to rub further salt into the Railwaymen’s wound, and it was Murphy who was once again the beneficiary of some good work from Sam Downey to slot in his fourth and complete the rout.

Holland thought he had added an eighth in stoppage time but his effort was adjudged not to have crossed the line, but it did not take the gloss off another superb all-round performance from the away side in their pursuit of silverware.