Denbigh Town Reserves’ Central Park return ended in defeat on Saturday morning as Gresford took home three points.

Despite goals from Morgan Fricker, Gabriel Hinchcliffe and an own goal it wasn't enough as the visitors raced out in front before Town’s comeback just fell short.

Eight of the starting XI made their home debuts for Town including Cai Frith who this week swapped Ruthin for Denbigh.

Beginning frantically, the scoring was opened on nine minutes when Rob Reynolds hit a low effort from the edge of the box into the bottom corner to give his side the lead.

However, Denbigh carved out their first chance three minutes later when Rhys Lloyd’s free-kick from 30-yards was denied by the keeper before a nice more saw Morgan Fricker’s shot well saved from the left.

On 13 minutes Fricker netted his first goal for the Reserves when his corner looped back in and found the net via a touch from a defender. Denbigh almost turned the game on it’s head just before the 20 minute mark when Tom Salisbury made inroads into the box before his powerful shot was tipped over for a corner.

Despite the pressure Denbigh were still capable of being caught out and were so with 28 minutes on the clock. A long ball over the top found Reynolds who found the net for his second.

Not deterred, Denbigh kept fighting and just two minutes after going a goal down Salisbury again made himself a nuiscance before feeding Callum Foster, but he dragged his effort wide.

Gresford though they’d added a third with 31 minutes played when a corner came in and was headed back across goal by Reynolds, Ianto Jones cleared it off the line but the visitors were incensed at a goal not being awarded.

The visitors were on top at this point and again could have found the back of the net through Will Evans who from close range somehow lifted his effort over the bar.

38 minutes in and Jordan Baker was forced to make a change following an injury to Rhodri Edwards, who was replaced by Aled Jones. Gresford capitalised on the shift in focus as Reynolds came through to complete his hatrick.

Into stoppage time, Denbigh almost pulled one back after a neat move led to Lewis Devine hitting the target from the edge of the box only for the goalkeeper to push it wide.

Half-Time: Denbigh Town Reserves 1-3 Gresford Athletic Reserves

11 minutes into the re-start Gresford further added to the lead via Alex Cooper and it began feeling like the game was lost. That was however until Denbigh began was looked like it could have been a miraculous comeback.

First off four minutes later a long ball forward by Gruff Rogers - who this week was named vice-captain of the side - was headed into his own net by Ellis Rowland.

The pressure continued for Denbigh who looked threatening in the final half an hour, halving the deficit with ten minutes to spare after Serhad Kanli, who was making his competitive debut for the Reserves aged 16, squared for Hinchcliffe to slam home in the box.

However, Gresford held on after six minutes of stoppage time and picked up the points.

The Reserves are next in action on August 30th when taking on Prestatyn Town.

Denbigh Town: Macaulay, Rogers, Edwards, I.Jones, Fricker, Hinchcliffe, Devine, Frith, Salisbury, Lloyd, Foster

Subs: Wynne, A.Jones, Roberts, O.Jones, Kanli

Attendance: 86

Referee: Ian Turner