A STOPPAGE time stunner from talisman Mel McGinness gave Holyhead Hotspur a crucial 1-0 win at Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochant.

The Holy Islanders boosted their hopes of Huws Gray Alliance survival with a resolute display that sees them close the gap on the teams above them, but Darren Garmey’s side face a huge test of their credentials if they are to claim back-to-back league successes for the first time this season when they travel to nearby rivals Bangor City on Friday night (7.30pm).

A scoreless first half saw both sides waste opportunities in a cagey opening to proceedings in what quickly became a tense affair given what was at stake for both, in terms of their overall fortunes for the remainder of the season.

After the break saw the away side defend their point in comfortable fashion, before they were presented with a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area on 91 minutes, and McGinness produced a trademark moment of magic to unleash a superb strike into the bottom corner at the death.

This proved to be telling as the home side had little time to mount a serious attack for a leveller, ensuring Spurs picked up just their second victory of the campaign.

The result leaves Garmey’s men remain at the basement, but there is now just five points separating them and third-from-bottom Holywell Town.