Denbigh Town couldn’t back up their midweek victory as Bangor secured three points in a battle at Nantporth.

Craig Pritchard’s second-half strike wasn’t enough as Sam Jones and Jamie Petrie netted for 1876 in the opening half.

Dewi Llion named an unchanged side from the 4-1 win over Caersws on Tuesday whilst there was a place on the bench for Levent Gundogan and a return for Harry Lockley.

The first chance came after less than two minutes when Jones was forced into a stop following a Bangor break and with four minutes played the Citizens took the lead.

Sam Jones was unleashed down the left before slotting the ball past Aaron Jones to give his side the lead.

It was a quick start at both ends as Pritchard saw the ball loop to him in the box but he could only header over moments after the opening goal, whilst Ryan Kershaw tested the Bangor custodian with an effort from distance.

Nathan Brown almost pulled Town back to level terms when his shot from miles out just floated over the crossbar with just 13 minutes gone.

For a neutral, this was a tremendous contest, with action at both ends in the opening quarter of an hour, but it was suddenly halted when Morgan Thomas-Sadler went down in the middle of the pitch and required a stretcher to leave the field. He was replaced by Craig Rogers.

Following the stoppage, the game began to relax and the first chance of note came on 32 minutes, leading to Bangor doubling the lead. Sam Jones’ burst into the box saw him square it to Petrie to tap home.

Denbigh’s closest oppurtunity was found as Sion Jones’ cross from the left looked to be dipping below the crossbar before it was tipped over by the keeper, and the resulting corner was dealt with well by the staunch defence.

Each side had one more chance before the break as Brown cut in from the right but a tame shot was claimed with ease, whilst a Bangor free-kick was delivered from deep and met the head of an attacker who scored, but the flag was raised for offside.

Half-Time: Bangor 1876 2-0 Denbigh Town

Dewi Llion made a change at the break bringing on Harry Lockley for Keiron Roberts, but his brother Ben helped carve the first chance of the half as he squared the ball to Brown who was denied in the area by the goalkeeper.

Seven minutes into the second half period Denbigh halved the deficit. Pritchard just left of centre picked the ball up on the edge of the box before curling a stunning effort into the top corner. The attacker made it two in two this week in the JD Cymru League.

Whilst Denbigh chased the game Bangor looked to put it to bed, Corrig McGonigle had a shot from range superbly saved by Jones whilst Ryan Kershaw and Tom Weir had their efforts dealt with.

McGonigle should have scored from close range after a ball came in from the right but Jones made a tremendous stop, whilst with two minutes to play he was called upon again to deny Liam Morris’ low drive.

Ten minutes of stoppage time were played, with the key moment coming when a skirmish on the touchline saw a Bangor coach booked along with Dewi Llion, and coach Kristian Pierce was shown a red card.

It ended 2-1 with Town next in action on Friday night at home to Holywell.

Denbigh: A.Jones, B.Lockley, Thomas-Sadler, Parry-Jones, S.Jones, Kershaw, Roberts, Brown, Fleming, Pritchard, Walker

Subs: Rogers, H.Lockley, Hansen, Clarke, Weir, Gundogan

Referee: Arthur Smallman

Attendance: 368