ST ASAPH City manager Daniel Brewerton outlined his frustration after his side were narrowly beaten 1-0 at Greenfield in the Lock Stock Cookson Cup.

The Saints’ had nothing to show from a largely positive display against their Lock Stock Welsh Alliance Division One rivals, with City spurning a host of good chances throughout the contest.

Brewerton, said: “Again we come away from the game feeling frustrated that we are not getting what we deserve out of games, it’s no secret that we have a lot of injury problems and we are having to play lads out of position at times but the lads battled tremendously at times.

“We started the game well and had a couple of early chances to get our noses is front, there was always going to be a period of pressure from the opposition but we weathered it well and stared the second half brightly.

“The goal came at a time where I felt we were really starting to impose ourselves, we had a couple of the young reserve players on the bench so decided that the fresh legs and energy would give us an extra boost going forward.

“We were nearly rewarded on a few occasions but for some good blocks and a couple of narrowly wide shots.

“Whilst it’s never easy losing the game, I think what the lads out there have shown today is that when the chips are down they have got the character to stand and fight for the club and that will be very important as we progress through this season.”

A closely fought affair was decided on 71 minutes when prolific forward Sam Jones managed to finally turn in an opportunity to put the home side ahead, and despite the Saints’ best efforts in the closing stages they were unable to find a leveller and fell to defeat.

City will be hoping for better fortune this Saturday when they entertain title-chasing Holyhead Hotspur.