BANGOR City advanced to the JD Welsh Cup fourth round with a 4-1 derby victory over Holyhead Hotspur.

The Citizens got back to winnings ways after last weekend’s defeat at Rhyl to secure manager Gary Taylor-Fletcher’s first win since taking over at the helm, with the Holy Islanders now turning their attentions to a host of important fixtures of the festive season in the hope of securing their Huws Gray Alliance status.

Darren Garmey’s men welcome in-form Ruthin Town to The New Stadium on Saturday (2.30pm), with City hosting Holywell Town on Friday (7.45pm).

The home side spurned a number of opportunities throughout the first period as the Spurs rearguard held firm in the face of sustained pressure, but they finally relented just before the break when a Jake Phillips long throw evaded everyone and landed at the feet of Alex Darlington, who had the simple task of slotting into the net from six yards.

After the interval saw Alex Boss almost double their advantage when he fired wide following a superb individual run, but their pressure paid dividends once again soon after when Darlington produced another neat finish to extend their cushion.

Things got even better for the home side shortly after the restart when a disappointing clearance from visiting talisman Mel McGinness fell to winger Robbie Parry, who produced an impressive effort from long range that gave young stopper Dan Williams no chance.

Credit to the away side, they kept plugging away and found a route back into the tie when a free-kick was flicked on into the path of John Littlemore, who calmly found the corner after 67 minutes.

Garmey’s side enjoyed a large spell of possession without troubling the home defence following the goal, and their hopes of a comeback were dashed late on when Les Davies fed Parry for his second of the contest.

The Spurs’ boss, said: “It was disappointing to lose another game with the same failings.

“I still believe 100 per cent these players are good enough and we will go into these next three games knowing it will shape our season.”