MELIDEN bowed out of the Mawddach Challenge Cup at the first-round stage with a 5-3 loss at Mochdre Sports.

The visitors made a bright start and went ahead on 25 minutes when Chris Marden found the net, but they were pegged back almost instantly when Kai Davies converted from the penalty spot with 27 on the clock.

Davies wasted no time in making another impact on proceedings with a well taken effort to put the home side ahead after 31 minutes, and Sports doubled their advantage immediately following the restart when Josh Grimshaw fired in his first of the tie on 32.

The hosts were now fully in the ascendancy and increased their tally further on 39 minutes when Grimshaw secured his brace, but the away side came out after the break with a renewed sense of purpose that resulted in Marsden reducing the arrears with a spot-kick of his own.

A thrilling ending to proceedings was expected when Elliot Hughes brought the visitors back to within one after 82 minutes, and they threw caution to the wind in the closing stages and were caught on the break on 89 when Niall Owen converted a chance to complete the scoring.