Denbigh Town fell just short on Friday night as unbeaten Llandudno took three points at Central Park.

Despite a leveller from Ben Lockley, Town came unstuck to a penalty and possibly contentious winner from Mark Cadwallader.

Dewi Llion named three changes from the clash at Holyhead six days previous, with goalkeeper Elijah Beattie back in the side, along with Alfie Vaughan and Dan Flanders. Meanwhile, young defender Seann McFee was called up to the bench for the first time.

Town began brightly and six minutes in could have found themselves ahead when Vaughan flicked the ball through to Nathan Brown who ran on to the ball but took too heavy a touch to nudge it past the onrushing ‘keeper.

Despite having the lions share of the ball Denbigh still had to be aware of the Seasiders’ threat, and on 16 minutes found out full well when a through ball found Cadwallader who touched it past Beattie who was adjudged to have brought him down in the box. He stepped up and slammed the ball home from the spot.

The veteran forward for Llandudno continued to be a danger when a cross found him at the back post on 21 minutes but he could only clip the back post with his effort. Denbigh responded with an effort of their own six minutes later when Brown picked the ball up at distance but his effort didn’t trouble Shaun Pearson.

Just before the break, returning ‘keeper Beattie was called in to action when Jordan Pownall’s strike inside the box was denied low before Pownall volleyed from the resulting corner which was tipped over by Town’s custodian.

Half-Time: Denbigh Town 1-2 Llandudno

With the game still wide open Denbigh began the second period well and had their reward nine minutes after the restart. Brown floated a free-kick to the back post which found Ben Lockley who looped the ball into the back of the net.

Llandudno responded well and got forward themselves, and retook the lead on 69 minutes when a ball across the box found Cadwallader at the back post to poke the ball home with what looked to be an arm. Town protested a possible offside but Llandudno had the lead.

It was almost wrapped up on 76 minutes when a corner for the visitors found Callum Stephens who’s header crashed on to the crossbar and Denbigh were able to clear their lines.

With Town pressing they though they had a stoppage time leveller for the second home game in a row when substitute Matthew Worrall’s cross was put back across by Danny Clarke and Bobby Beaumont’s effort was cleared off the line. Beaumont was at it again moments later but pushed his man in the box, leading to the ball finding the net via a visiting defender.

Town are next in action on Friday night with the visit to Airbus UK Broughton.

Denbigh Town: Beattie, Beaumont, B.Lockley, Flanders, Doforo, Cooke, McHarrie, Brown, Vaughan, S.Duffy, Dafydd

Subs: Wilmot, McFee, Jones, J.Duffy, Barnes, Clarke, Worrall

Referee: Conor Charlton-Fleming

Attendance: 490

POTM: Alfie Vaughan - Was an important presence for Town as a focal point, particularly early on.