LEE HUNT cracked two goals as delighted Rhyl boss John Hulse saw his dominant Lilywhites duly secure the first leg of a holiday derby double at the sparsely populated Deeside Stadium.

Calling for his side to close the gaping 12 points gap on pacemakers The New Saints, Hulse was given no concerns as Rhyl leapfrogged defeated Carmarthen Town into third place.

“We held them off for the first quarter of an hour but their all-round strength wore us down and we’re going to need the new faces I’ve lined up before we can expect to see us start picking up,” said Nomads boss Jim Hackett.

Focused Rhyl finally cracked the Nomads cover when Chris Sharp underlined his return to form after a lengthy injury lay off with the opening goal on 15 minutes with Hunt’s adding a second five minutes before the break.

Apart from two efforts by Mark Cadwallader, Nomads attack was rarely a factor as Rhyl’s midfield called the tune with Craig Jones putting away a Hunt pass on 67 minutes. Dave Cameron was first to react to a half chance to tap home Rhyl’s fourth on 85 minutes.

Hunt wrapped up the win with a scorching shot into the bottom corner in a comfortable stroll and on this evidence the destiny of the next three points can hardly be in doubt unless Nomads have a major turn about quickly.