CONWY Borough manager Warren Gibbs marked his first game at the helm with a 2-1 home reverse to Gresford Athletic.

The Tangerines’ poor run of Huws Gray Alliance form continued despite the change in management following the departure of Gareth Thomas, and they are now just four points clear of the bottom two ahead of their vital trip to basement dwellers Holyhead Hotspur on Saturday (2.30pm).

Things did not begin well for the home side and they fell behind after just five minutes when Jack Chaloner took advantage of some space to fire past Keighan Jones to open the scoring.

The hosts responded well to the early disappointment and began to dictate proceedings in treacherous conditions, and they were rewarded for their improved play on 13 minutes when Conor Harwood finished well to level proceedings after a period of pressure.

Chances came and went for both sides during the remainder of the first period, but Athletic were gifted a golden opportunity to regain the initiative just before the break when they were awarded a penalty, with former Ruthin Town forward Jordan MacCarter keeping his cool to despatch the spot kick on 39 minutes.

After the break saw the swirling wind continue to affect the standard of play from both sides in what quickly developed into a war of attrition, with neither side able to add to the scoreline and ensure Boro fell to defeat in Gibbs’ first game since his appointment.

Attention now turns to their weekend clash with the Holy Islanders, who have won just one of their 14 games so far this term and find themselves eight points adrift of safety.

The Tangerines go into the game on the back of an eight-match winless run stretching back to September 21 when they triumphed at home to Rhyl.