RHYL'S hopes of making up ground on the leaders were frustrated in this stalemate at blustery Maesydre. Despite an early strike from George Horan, the fourth-placed Lilywhites struggled to find a way through a determined home side in a scrappy encounter of few chances. The afternoon had started well enough for Rhyl when they took the lead on 12 minutes. A right-wing corner from Gareth Wilson was only half cleared by ex-Rhyl keeper Ged McGuigan and the ball was driven into the goalmouth where Horan turned it in from close range. But Welshpool were back on terms six minutes later when Brett Jefferies' speculative strike from distance was ruled to have struck the hand of defender Timmy Edwards in the box. Steve Rogers converted from the spot. A well grassed surface made the going tough for both sides, with the long ball often dominating as defences held a tight rein. Rhyl showed the greater urgency in the second half, but carved few clear-cut openings although Andy Moran went close on the hour when hooking wide under a challenge from McGuigan. Moran was stretchered off with a leg injury on 78 minutes to further dent Rhyl's hopes of forcing a result, but they went close late on with James Brewerton firing into the side netting from 20 yards while Mark Connolly's low strike was saved at the second attempt by McGuigan. Pool, who relied mainly on quick breaks, have now stretched their unbeaten run to five games. | 
