Porthmadog boss Papirnyk issues apology following Gresford Athletic capitulation

The JD Cymru North strugglers held a slender lead heading into the break before a total capitulation in the second period condemned them to their 13th league loss in 21 games.

Port remain rooted in the relegation zone and five points adrift of safety ahead of a daunting trip to runaway leaders Prestatyn Town next Saturday.

Papirnyk, said: “It’s probably the worst performance since I’ve been involved with the club.

“There are no excuses and first and foremost I would like to apologise to the supporters, to our hard working volunteers who deserved so much better than that.

“It was not acceptable and not in keeping with the standards we set ourselves and the players have let me and the club down.

“I’m accountable too as I pick the team and back the lads, I believe in this group, but we really have let ourselves down and where do you start with a result like that?

“We knew it would be difficult here and credit to Gresford who played the conditions better and were ruthless but we crumbled defensively and have got to work extremely hard this week.

“I think we are in a false position, but you have to earn the right to play in this league and we aren’t doing that. If we are going to give performances like this then we might as well admit defeat but that’s not what we are about.

“There are still 11 games left and plenty of points to play for.”

Things looked promising for the visitors when Shaun Cavanagh opened the scoring on 23 minutes, but their collapse began shortly after the break when a Danny Holland brace on 51 and 56 gave Athletic the advantage.

This was swiftly followed by another that came through Jake Eyre on 59 minutes, and another defensive lapse saw Jack Jones hit the target with 61 on the clock.

Colwyn Bay loanee Joe Chaplin continued his fine run of form since joining the club with their fifth on 72 minutes, and Port’s misery was compounded thanks to a two-goal salvo from Alex Burton late on.