Denbigh Town made it a league double over Bangor on Saturday with Alfie Vaughan’s brace seeing off the relegation-threatened Citizens.

It took until the second half for the deadlock to be broken when Vaughan smashed home an outstanding effort from range before hitting home from close range to double the lead.

Bangor were handed a lifeline in stoppage time with a penalty, where Elijah Beattie couldn’t make it three penalty saves in as many games but it would prove to be just a consolation via Corrig McGonigle. Bangor now face a crucial three games to stay in the division whilst Denbigh ensured their place having gone mathematically clear of the drop with time to spare.

Town made one change to the XI with Danny Clarke coming in for Jordan Pownall whilst Max Cooke was involved in the squad at home for the first time since his return from travelling.

Within the opening five minutes Denbigh almost had the lead when Nathan Brown struck from distance testing goalkeeper Bradley Farrar, who tipped the ball on to the crossbar.

Bangor’s first chance came on 14 minutes when an effort from the right of the box was denied superbly by Beattie. Town responded well when Brown sprayed a great ball to Owen Davies who when stood up jinked inside and fired just wide.

Denbigh’s good start continued when four minute later Brown tested the keeper once more before Davies was running through, was dragged down but Ben Lockley continued the progress before being denied by the keeper.

Just before the half-hour mark Denbigh looked to be comfortable with the visitors battling to keep Town at bay. Lockley had an effort from the edge of the box blocked but it fell to Vaughan who turned before having a goalbound effort intercepted for a corner.

Just before the break it looked destined for Denbigh to take a lead into half time but Davies’ chip from the edge of the box floated over the keeper and ultimately, the bar.

Half-Time: Denbigh Town 0-0 Bangor 1876

Within 10 seconds of the restart it was almost a complete disaster for Bangor, a through ball from Brown saw Farrar rush out and handle the ball outside the box, with Town awarded a free-kick and the keeper a yellow card. From the resulting set piece Brown was denied by the keeper.

Lockley almost gave his side the lead when a corner was met by the head of the defender but without a clean connection is drifted wide at the far post.

Finally though on 62 minutes Denbigh did have the lead. Sam Duffy squared the ball to Vaughan who from 30-yards out smashed the ball down the middle of the goal for what was one of the goals of the season.

Not happy with just the one, Town quickly doubled the lead nine minutes later through Vaughan once again. Substitute Iwan Roberts had been on the pitch for seven minutes before turning his man inside out and drilling the ball across goal. Vaughan got a touch to it in the box with the linesmen flagging the goal with the ball creeping over the line for the forward’s second, whilst Davies smashed it in for good measure. Following the game, Vaughan was awarded the score by the officials.

With 12 minutes to go Bangor kicked into gear somewhat and had the ball in the back of the net with a header from a cross but the flag was raised for offside in a difficult afternoon for the visitors from Gwynedd.

Deep into stoppage time Bangor were handed a slim glimmer of hope when Cooke’s foul in the box was the referee point to the spot. Beattie was sent the wrong way and McGonigle converted, but it wasn’t enough.

Denbigh have now gone five games without defeat alongside home and away wins over Bangor, whilst the visitors continue to look over their shoulders in a relegation scrap.

Denbigh Town: Beattie, Flanders, Beaumont, Lockley, Clarke, K.Roberts, S.Jones, Brown, Duffy, Davies, Vaughan

Subs: Wilmot, Cooke, Williams, Butler, Pownall, I.Roberts

Referee: Huw Jones

Attendance: 337

POTM: Alfie Vaughan - A brace and superb performance leading the line from the forward was vital for Town.