MARK Connolly's 86th minute free-kick decider ensured Rhyl went top of Group A and took a big step towards the quarter finals. In a largely one-sided tie at Belle Vue, Porthmadog defended stoutly but did not manage a shot on target in the entire match. By contrast, Rhyl had numerous close calls before that elusive but well deserved winner arrived four minutes from time. In a tight first half, Alex Hay had a good fourth minute chance but lashed wide from a slightly acute angle 12 yards out. On 36 minutes a towering Stuart Graves header cleared the Port defence on the bounce and released Andy Moran in the box, but keeper Richard Harvey smothered well. Three minutes later Harvey tipped over Timmy Edwards' header from a Marcus Orlik corner. Gareth Wilson and Orlik drove just over early in the second half, then Hay had a goal disallowed. There was confusion galore on 64 minutes when substitute Dave Cameron's back header clearly crossed the line, referee Mike Jones pointed to the centre spot, but with the home players celebrating a goal the match official changed his mind after consulting with an assistant and awarded a free kick against Rhyl. Wilson fired just wide, Moran had a left footer blocked on the goal-line by Ryan Davies and Hay drove agonisingly across the face of goal - still that elusive breakthrough would not come. Then on 86 minutes Cameron was brought down 25 yards out by Rhys Roberts and Connolly's right foot free kick sailed into the net. Port caused a few home hearts to flutter three minutes into injury time when Jason Sadler's right footed effort from 30 yards just cleared the bar, but any other result than a Lilywhites win would have been a travesty. * RHYL: Gann, Connolly, Graves, Clampitt, Horan, Edwards, Hay, Moran, Wilson, Powell, Orlik (Cameron). Subs not used: Owen, Moody. Att: 328. | 
