LLANDUDNO bowed out of the JD Welsh Cup at the quarter-final stage after a heavy 8-1 home loss at the hands of The New Saints.

Tudno assistant Mark Cowan rotated his squad for the clash as he prioritises league survival in the coming weeks, and they were no match for the full-timers during what was a one-sided contest throughout.

Their attention now turns to their great escape bid, which resumes with a pivotal clash at fellow strugglers Cefn Druids on Friday (7.45pm).

The away side went ahead with just four gone when prolific striker Greg Draper finished from close range, and the same player was on hand to convert another chance on 32 minutes to double their advantage.

Jon Routledge added a third for the defending JD Welsh Premier League champions on 43 minutes, but Tudno did manage to get themselves back into the tie after the break when Toby Jones scored directly from a corner with 52 gone.

This joy proved to be fleeting as Draper despatched another chance on 54 minutes to complete his hat-trick, and Adrian Cieslewicz rounded off a fine team move for TNS’ fifth three minutes after the restart.

Draper was having his way with the Tudno rearguard and took his tally for the afternoon to four on the hour mark with another clinical finish, and the veteran frontman despatched yet another opportunity soon after for his fifth of the tie.

Midfield talisman Danny Hughes provided a spark for the home side on 68 minutes when his powerful effort rattled the crossbar, and the hosts’ misery was compounded late on when Daniel Redmond’s strike found the net and rounded off the scoring.

One plus for Tudno was the debut of youngster Dafydd Thomas, who started the contest and performed well in the face of experienced opposition.