PENALTIES and Denbigh Town haven't mixed well during the campaign.

For the third time this season, Denbigh lost in a cup competition on penalties after they exited the Lock Stock Ardal Northern League Cup versus Nantlle Vale.

After twice taking the lead through first half goals from Jacob Barratt and Sam Jones, Town allowed the visitors to come back on both occasions and force the tie to penalties, with Dafydd Buckley Roberts scoring the decisive spot kick to see Nantlle Vale through to a tie at St Asaph in the next round.

With Mike Sharples injured with a broken foot, Will Ashley moved to partner Stuart Jones in the centre of defence.

Manager Dewi Llion Jones gave new signing Aaron Jones his debut in goal, with striker Josh Davies named on the bench after he had re-joined the club where he had such a successful season back in 2017-2018.

Keiron Roberts was welcomed back to midfield after a spell of with injury.

The clubs had met in the league at the end of November with Denbigh winning 3-1 and they went into this tie as favourites.

Town went ahead after 10 minutes when Jake Walker did well in the penalty area to find Jacob Barratt and he slid the ball under Owain Roberts in the Nantlle Vale goal.

This lead lasted just six minutes, though, as David Yates rose highest in the box to head home the equaliser.

A quick response was needed and a minute later, Denbigh were ahead again, this time from a superb team goal.

Kristian Pierce fired a cross-field pass to Billy Holmes in full flight on the left wing.

His low cross was met by Sam Jones to flick the ball home from close range and give Town a 2-1 lead.

Midway through the half and Denbigh had the ball in the net for the third time via Jacob Barratt, but he was deemed to have been offside and it was disallowed.

After half-an-hour, Nantlle Vale equalised from a cross which Denbigh failed to clear and Harri Hughes was able to head home from eight yards.

The second half started with Denbigh continuing to pile on the pressure and Paul Fleming was unlucky to see his long range shot go just wide.

Fleming was involved in another great move as he jinked his way into the penalty area and set up Jacob Barratt, whose shot cannoned off the post and away to safety.

Despite lots of endeavour and close calls, the winning goal eluded Town and the game went to penalties.

Aaron Jones saved one for Denbigh, but in the opposing goal Owain Roberts saved twice before Dafydd Buckley-Roberts fired home the winner.