Denbigh’s festive slump continued on New Year’s Day when a stoppage-time winner handed three points to bottom side Gresford.

Despite coming from behind twice via Gwion Dafydd brace, Town fell to pieces at the death when a free-kick wasn’t dealt with and Paul Johnson swept it home inside the box.

Dewi Llion made three changes from Boxing Day as Nathan Brown returned from suspension, whilst Matthew Worrall and Luke Wilmot came into the XI. On the bench, four Reserves were called up with Seann McFee, Rhys Lloyd, Jacob Duffy and 16-year old Jac Jones.

Denbigh began the clash well and within ten seconds almost got themselves in front. Brown was involved immediately when he won the ball in the visitors half before driving forward and testing Louis Dutton from range.

Six minutes later a corner was punched away by Dutton as far as Dafydd on the right of the box, he turned inside before firing the ball into the side netting. However, despite the good start Town found themselves behind with 11 on the clock. Toby Gallagher-Kennan picked it up on the right before driving inside and curling the ball past Wilmot from the edge of the box.

Needing a quick reply, Town had one just four minutes later. Scott McHarrie put in a challenge in opposition territory which ricocheted behind the Gresford defence and Dafydd chased on to it before finishing superbly one-on-one.

Looking to get ahead, Denbigh pressed and almost found a second when another corner wasn’t cleared and Dafydd’s effort in the box was blocked.

The game settled before a flurry of chances in the final ten minutes or so, first through Worrall who latched on to a through ball but his effort from an angle was denied. Pressure continued to mount seconds later when a superb flowing move saw Alfie Vaughan cross from the right and the ball hit an arm, but despite protestation, the referee waved it away.

Gresford could have had the lead three minutes before the break had it not been for some heroics from Wilmot. Mitchell Williams was first to be denied via a block inside the box before Jake Roberts’ shot was thwarted by the Town custodian at close range.

Half-Time: Denbigh Town 1-1 Gresford Athletic

Whilst Denbigh began the first half the better side, the second became all about the visitors. After sustained pressure they finally found a second goal via Roberts, whose free-kick from the left of the box flew over everyone and into the top corner on 52 minutes.

Haci Ozlu tried for a third from distance four minutes later but Wilmot did well to push the effort away, whilst Denbigh got up the other end moments later when Brown’s free-kick was launched long and came out to Sion Jones, but his volley didn’t have enough purchase and was dealt with.

It began feeling like it wouldn’t be Town’s day with 25 minutes left on the clock, as a ball in from Dafydd found Worrall at the back post but his effort was somehow tipped on to the bar by Dutton, before his rebound was straight at the keeper just yards out and a third smashed the post.

Despite their luck through, Denbigh did get back in to it. On 81 minutes Nathan Doforo was excellent in making a run down the left where his low cross from Dafydd to thump home a second leveller.

Both sides were now chasing a late winner, as Roberts showed his danger when his try from distance had to be tipped over the bar by Wilmot, before Brown at the other end raced through before dragging wide.

The moment of truth came two minutes into stoppage time though, as a free-kick from the right was cut back to Johnson who touched it home in the box for their first league win since September.

Denbigh Town: Wilmot, S.Jones, Lockley, Flanders, Doforo, McHarrie, Cooke, Brown, Vaughan, Dafydd, Worrall

Subs: Williams, McFee, J.Jones, J.Duffy, Lloyd

Referee: Mark James

Attendance: 274

POTM: Gwion Dafydd - Took his two goals well to bring Town back into the game twice.