Rhyl 1 Carmarthen 0

IN-form Rhyl returned to the top of the Welsh Premier with a victory which boss John Hulse insisted should have been more emphatic.

"We should have been four or 5-1 up at half time," said Hulse.

"But Carmarthen are a very experienced side and any victory over them is a good one.

"It's great to be top, but there's a long way to go. We know teams around us have games in hand but we'll keep plugging away and concentrate on what we're doing rather than anyone else."

In a one-sided first half, Rhyl striker Dave Cameron was denied by a double block on eight minutes before Mark Connolly blasted wide from 12 yards.

Nathan Cotterrall had Carmarthen's only clear chance of the game on 21 minutes but drove wide from the left-hand side of the box.

Lee Hunt had a golden opportunity on 41 minutes thanks to Cameron's persistence but the normally deadly marksman was denied by a fine save from Town keeper Neil Thomas.

The deserved breakthrough for the Lilies came four minutes into the second half. Connolly's free-kick from the right was met by a powerful George Horan header which Thomas brilliantly kept out, but Cameron snapped up the rebound from eight yards.

Shortly afterwards, a poor Thomas clearance was met by a Connolly chip, only for the ball to sail narrowly over.

Thomas performed marvels to tip Connal Murtagh's rocket over the top before Carmarthen at last began to apply some pressure, but they were unable to test keeper John Gann and Rhyl held on comfortably for a vital win.