RHYL geared up for their derby day trip to JD Cymru North leaders Prestatyn Town with a 1-0 home loss at the hands of Llandudno.

The Lilywhites’ suffered their third reverse in five second tier contests against a resolute Tudno outfit, who held on in the closing stages despite being reduced to eight men late on.

Eddie Maurice-Jones’ men now turn their attention to Saturday’s visit to the Motion Finance Stadium, where their opponents boast a 100 per cent record this term and currently sit seven points clear at the top of the standings.

On a positive note, the Lilies’ are one of only two sides that have beaten Neil Gibson’s men this season and will be aiming to secure a notable double against their coastal rivals.

A cagey start to the contest saw little in the way of goalmouth action, with striker Alfons Fosu-Mensah carving out the first chance of the game midway through the first period when his curling attempt sailed narrowly wide.

The home side looked lively soon after when their best passage of play on 27 minutes saw Sam Molyneux go close to breaking the deadlock, with Robbie Parry’s powerful strike also narrowly evading the target with 38 on the clock.

Tudno would not be denied on 40 minutes when Parry’s through ball put Jacob Farleigh through on goal, and the former New Saints youngster held his nerve to steer past Rory Crowther to open the scoring.

Farleigh almost doubled their advantage shortly after the interval when he forced Crowther into a smart stop on 49 minutes, and tempers flared shortly following the chance as Dean Seager and Scott McHarrie both saw red for the visitors, with Ross Stephens also given his marching orders for the hosts.

Molyneux and Farleigh traded chances at both ends during a frantic finish that also saw Tudno player Sam Downey sent off with five remaining, but despite a strong numerical advantage the Lilies’ were unable to find a crucial leveller to ensure they had nothing to show from a lethargic overall display.