10 MAN CONWY EARN AN AWAY POINT

Conwy Borough battled to a 0-0 draw away at Rhayader, despite having to play with 10 men for more than 45 minutes. Peter Doran was sent off just before the interval for the Tangerines.

The home side started the brighter and made the early running, but it was Conwy that had the first shot on target. Following good link up play between Ed Moss and Alan Bull, Steve Connor forced Luke Evans into a smart save with the striker’s effort from the edge of the 18 yard box pushed wide for a corner.

Connor and Bull were again involved in Conwy’s next attack moments later, this time releasing Healing who cut in from the left but could only drag his shot wide of the target.

Just before the half hour mark Rhay created their first openings of the match, first Nathan Savage beat Louie Mackin to a Rhys Thomas cross and his low effort came back off the upright. Before Adam Oakley and Thomas both saw efforts go just past the post.

Neither side were able to play much attractive football on a heavy pitch that still had standing water in the goalmouths an hour before kick-off.

The controversial moment in the match followed, as Doran saw red whilst trying to take a quick free kick. Following a conversation with the referee he was given his marching orders, much to the surprise of the crowd.

The impressive Connor dropped into central midfield to partner Lee McElmeel, who played his first 90 minutes for the club, as Conwy had to concede a lot of second half possession.

Despite having more of the ball Rhay struggled to create any noteworthy openings and their only efforts on target were two routine saves for Mackin. Conwy’s back four dealt very well with the home side’s forward players.

Borough looked a threat on the break with Connor driving on from deep. The former Everton man first thundered the cross bar from 25 yards with a dipping effort.

He then saw another effort from the edge of the area deflect inches wide of the post, before forcing Evans into another great save. After controlling a goal kick on his chest, the diminutive forward turned and unleashed a powerful effort from more than 20 yards that took some stopping.

The final act of the match saw Bull slice his long range effort wide, with Evans stranded out of his area. The Rhayader keeper’s headed clearance fell to Bull who tried an audacious lob first time, but was unable to hit the target.

Rhayader seemed the happier side at the final whistle, with Conwy feeling they could have snatched all three points on another day. With Buckley away on Tuesday, the players now have a quick turn around and will want to secure all three points after two consecutive draws.