Denbigh Town Reserves suffered defeat at Central Park against the league leaders despite a spirited display.

Tom Salisbury’s second half effort wasn’t enough as the visitors bagged two each side of half time.

Liam Nash handed debuts to two new signings with goalkeeper Jack Moorley taking his place between the sticks, whilst Sam Tate returned to LL16.

In a slow start it took 15 minutes for the first real chance which the visitors took well as Flint crossed from the right channel to meet Charlie Cottis to finish from close range. Town responded with a chance of their own as Sean James delivered a free-kick which was cleared as far as Tate, but he couldn’t keep his effort down.

On 26 minutes Tate popped up again on the left of the box, wrapping his foot around a low effort that whizzed inches wide of the near post. Two minutes later it was the visitors who had an effort of their own as Ben Richards tested Moorley from the edge of the box, but the 17-year old was equal to it.

With 34 minutes on the clock the visitors doubled their lead when Moorley denied an initial shot from range before Cottis followed in for his and Flint’s second. Moments later Town came millimetres from pulling one back when a ball over the top found Tate who lifted the ball over the keeper from the edge of the box, which dropped on to the top of the bar.

Half-Time: Denbigh Town 0-2 Flint Mountain

Within five minutes of the restart Town did halve the deficit. Morgan Fricker played a superb ball forward for Salisbury who raced through before squeezing the ball past the keeper from a tight angle. Two minutes later after some nice buildup Denbigh were close to levelling when James’ free-kick flew inches over the bar.

Flint were still a danger and on the hour mark after some nice build-up play found Luca Filby who 18-yards out hit the base of the right post. Seven minutes later Moorley was called into action making a sensational double save to deny a third.

Heading into the final 20 minutes Town were pressing as much as they could, as James made his way into the box from the right but was denied by the keeper. On 72 minutes however their hopes of a leveller were dashed as an effort struck the Town post before substitute Dylan Owen hammered in the rebound.

The game was put to bed when the referee blew for a penalty having adjudged Fricker to have handled it inside the box, and Cottis stepped up to secure a hatrick and the win.

The Reserves are next in action next Saturday away to Buckley with an 11am kick-off at the Globe.

Denbigh Town: Moorley, I.Jones, Rogers, Fricker, Roberts, James, Hinchcliffe, O.Jones, Salisbury, Tate, Kanli

Subs: Wynne, H.Nash, Hughes, Luke, T.Jones

Attendance: 50

Referee: Glenn Gray