LLANDUDNO marked their return to competitive action with a late 1-0 defeat at Guilsfield.

Matthew Jones’ side bowed out of the Nathaniel MG Cup at the second round stage after a tight contest between the JD Cymru North rivals, and Tudno will be hoping for better fortune on the second tier return this Saturday when they welcome newly promoted Corwen to the Giant Hospitality Stadium (2.30pm).

A number of influential squad members were forced to miss the clash, with Robbie Parry, Jacob Farleigh, Gerwyn Jones and Alfons Fosu-Mensah all on their side-lines through injury.

It proved to be difficult for both sides to play football the right way given the blustery conditions, but the away side did manage to create the first chance of note on 40 minutes when Dean Seager was sent through on goal but the striker could only find the side-netting with the chance and the danger was averted.

The Guils’ grew into the tie late on in the half and were denied an opener thanks to a sensational triple save from Tudno stopper Shaun Pearson to leave things all to play for at the break.

After the interval saw skipper and talisman Danny Hughes’ powerful drive from distance superbly diverted by home custodian Mike Jones, and defender Anthony Marshall went within inches of breaking the deadlock from the resulting corner.

Despite momentum being with the away side in the closing stages, they made to pay in stoppage time when a defensive lapse in concentration from a long throw presented a chance to Adam Jenkins, who steered the ball past Pearson for a dramatic opener.

This left Tudno with little time to get themselves back into the game, ensuring they were ousted from the competition.

A big positive that emerged from the game from a Tudno perspective was a debut given to 16-year-old Alex Roberts in the second half, eight years after joining the club's youth system.