A GOAL in each half was enough to give Porthmadog a 2-0 home triumph over Huws Gray Alliance basement dwellers Holyhead Hotspur.

The hotly contested affair was settled with two crucial moments either side of the break, leaving Port in fourth spot in standings ahead of their trip to struggling Denbigh Town on Saturday (2.30pm).

Things are looking increasingly bleak for Darren Garmey’s men, who are now nine points off safety with eight games remaining, with a home tie with Guilsfield up next.

The visitors almost went ahead within the opening minute when Chris Jones fired wide from close range, with Gruff John Williams going close at the other end after a neat spell of possession.

Shaun Cavanagh was put through on goal on 17 minutes but saw his effort fly wide, but they did manage to break the deadlock when Sion Edwards’ strike from just indie the area found the corner with 22 gone.

Port stopper Paul Pritchard had to be at his best to deny Mel McGinness and John Littlemore in quick succession soon after, with the former putting a header into the arsm of the grateful goalkeeper just before the break.

Pritchard was called into action once again after the interval when he diverted a Dan McGinness chance to safety, and Spurs’ were made to pay for their lack of conviction in front of goal on 65 minutes when Iwan Lewis doubled the hosts’ advantage after good work from Rob Evans.

Credit to the away side, they continued to search for a rout back into the game and spurned another good opportunity when Mel McGinness failed to convert on two occasions, and they were caught on the counter after throwing men forward late on which presented a golden chance to Julian Williams, but Carl Jones was equal to the effort in what turned out to be the final opening of the contest.