DENBIGH TOWN 1

CAMBRIAN & CLYDACH VALE 2

FOOTBALL can sometimes be so cruel.

Denbigh Town appeared on course to reach the last-16 of the JD Welsh Cup when they held a 1-0 lead over Cambrian & Clydach Vale with less than five minutes remaining.

However, the Welsh League outfit bagged two dramatic late goals to make sure they progressed.

On an afternoon which saw torrential downpours and then intermittent sunshine, the tie was played on a pitch which became heavier as the match progressed.

It was Denbigh who made the brighter start and they took the lead after only four minutes.

Jake Walker headed the ball down to Pat Hinchcliffe, who fire home from close range.

Town continued pressed for a second goal after this terrific start and Scott McHarrie played a great ball to Mark Roberts, whose effort went just wide.

Soon after, Jake Walker met Jordan Barrow's cross and his header went just wide of the target.

Hinchcliffe almost grabbed his second when he beat two men to fire at Dan Bradley, but the keeper made a fine save.

At the other end, there was a goalmouth scramble and the visitors had a great chance to equalise, however Curtis Langton was in the right place to block.

With Denbigh having had the better of the first half, the second period saw Town playing into a strong wind and lashing rain.

Time ticked away and the hosts preserved their lead until the 86th minute.

From a free kick, Mark Crutch rose higher than anyone else in the box to head in the equaliser.

Two minutes later and Cambrian & Clydach won a penalty when Miles Todd was adjudged to have handled the ball.

Todd received a yellow card, his second of the game, meaning Denbigh were reduced to 10 men.

It remained level, though, when Craig Vernon pulled off a terrific save to keep out Dai Thomas' effort.

With the game running into injury time, the visitors sealed the tie.

Corey Shepherd fired beyond Vernon to break Denbigh's hearts.