Denbigh Town’s difficult history away at Ruthin continued on Friday night as Town were edged out against their local rivals.

Alfie Vaughan’s strike wasn’t enough as Denbigh looked to climb back from a two goal deficit at the Memorial Playing Fields. The result didn’t tell the whole story, with Town utilising defender Dan Flanders in goal for more than 70 minutes, but again they fell short to their neighbours.

Dewi Llion made one change to the XI that faced Bangor a week previous, as Vaughan returned to the side, whilst Sion Jones came back to the squad

Denbigh were dealt an early blow when goalkeeper Oli Farebrother required lengthy treatment following a collision, requiring him to be replaced. He was eventually forced off after 18 minutes, with Keelan Williams introduced and defender Flanders taking over between the posts.

Despite the disruption, Town began to take control going forward.

On 21 minutes, Vaughan did superbly to find Martin, whose ball across the area picked out Nathan Brown and forced the Ruthin shot-stopper into a save.

Martin tested the keeper himself just a minute later from the right before more good work from Vaughan saw Brown denied by a low stop on 25 minutes.

Denbigh continued to threaten. Johnston's cross was only partially cleared two minutes later, allowing Brown to send a volley goalwards which took a deflection over the crossbar.

The best opportunity of the half arrived deep into a lengthy period of stoppage time. A quick Denbigh break ended with Orton's effort taking a deflection and striking the post as the sides went into the interval goalless.

Half-Time: Ruthin Town 0-0 Denbigh Town

Having failed to capitalise on their first-half opportunities, Town were punished after the restart.

Ruthin broke the deadlock in the 57th minute with a ball into the box not cleared and allowing Tom Mann to finish.

Just minutes later the hosts struck again to suddenly leave Denbigh with a two-goal deficit, as Noah Sumner dispatched the ball after being put through by Tom Roberts.

Town responded quickly. Johnston weaved his way through the Ruthin defence on 66 minutes before finding Vaughan, who produced a superb finish, firing a rocket into the bottom corner to halve the deficit and bring Denbigh right back into the contest.

Despite their efforts, Denbigh were unable to find the equaliser as Ruthin held on to claim the points in the first league derby meeting between the sides this season.

Denbigh Town: Farebrother, Lockley, Flanders, D.Davies, Orton, O.Davies, Johnston, Brown, Gallagher-Keenan, Martin, Vaughan

Subs: Williams, Jones, Starkey-Jones, Smith, Holland, Kelly, Vaughan-Evans

Referee: Aled Williams

Attendance: 856

POTM: Harry Martin - A second week running where Martin was outstanding for Town, and unlucky not to get on the scoresheet.