HOLYHEAD Hotspur’s recent run of positive results came to an abrupt end as they were hammered 5-0 at Rhyl.

The Huws Gray Alliance side had no match for the rampant Lilywhites on a disappointing day at the office for Darren Garmey’s side, and the Holy Islanders will look to put things right this Saturdya during their crunch clash with Holywell Town (2.30pm).

The home side came out of the blocks flying and created their first chance after 40 seconds when James Murphy failed to convert after latching on to Kristian Pierce’s delivery, and Gareth Partridge also went close when his effort sailed narrowly wide with 16 gone.

This was swiftly followed by an Aaron Hassall strike from long range that went agonisingly close, but their persistence finally paid off on 22 minutes when Murphy capitalised on hesitant defending to slot past Carl Jones and open the scoring.

The visitors responded well to the setback and had a great chance to level matters after 25 minutes when Harry Galeotti created some space but saw his finish thwarted by Jonathan Hill-Dunt, and they were made to pay for this miss when Ben Nash headed home a second for the Lilies with 28 on the clock.

With momentum now fully with the hosts, they secured a third after 38 minutes when recent signing from Llandudno Cai Owen rose superbly to head in a Hassall cross.

Nash thought he had secured another immediately following the restart, but his effort was chalked off for an infringement, and after the break saw Galeotti was another superb opening when he fired a shot wide after a good spell of possession from Spurs.

The hosts had a golden chance to seal the points on 55 minutes when they were awarded a penalty, but Murphy lost his footing during the run-up which resulted in Jones comfortably saving the attempt.

John Littlemore somehow fluffed his lines from close range after 74 minutes, and once again Spurs were made to pay when Barry Torrence added a fourth, and Matty Worrall secured a fifth late on to round off the scoring.