Caernarfon threw away all the points after two defensive lapses late on in the second half enabled an off-colour Aberystwyth to steal all three.

Aberystwyth created the first chance of the match after only four minutes, when a John Lawless corner from the left found its way to the feet of Phil Baker, and his shot from the edge of the area through a crowd of players was well saved by a flying Ian Willcock in the Cofis' goal.

Caernarfon could've scored themsleves two minutes later when a long ball was nodded into the path of Calvin Davies by Chris Moores, whose finish lacked quality. The first half quickly developed into a very even contest with both sides having further chances.

Lee Spike for Aber robbed Leigh Williams of the ball in midfield and sent a 25-yard effort just wide after 10 minutes, and Caernarfon's Chris Moores should've done better with his first time volley after a long ball from Leigh Williams. The best of the chances, however, fell to Lee Spike whose header from Phil Baker's cross from the right was miraculously saved by Ian Willcock at the foot of the post.

Caernarfon started the second half well and gained their first clear opportunity on 52 minutes when Lloyd Roberts was put through on goal by Chris Moores and saw his shot well saved by John Worsnop. Roberts had the chance to head in the rebound but failed to put any power behind the header and the ball fell kindly for the goalkeeper.

A minute later, and Worsnop was called into action again, rushing out of his goalmouth to clear the danger from the edge of the area, only to see the ball fall kindly to Paul Wilson whose attempted chip failed to clear the backpeddling goalkeeper.

However, Caernarfon pressure finally paid off on the hour when a long ball down the left hand side was picked up by Calvin Davies who crossed dangerously into the six-yard box towards Moores at the far post, only for the unlucky Phil Baker to turn the ball into his own net before it could reach Moores.

Aberystwyth then stepped up the pace in search of an equaliser that they did not seem likely to get before Caernarfon scored. The first goal came from a free kick given away by Craig Hogg for pushing on the Aberystwyth left, and the resulting free kick was floated into Lee Spike's path on the far post and he blasted the ball past Willcock from 10 yards.

Aberystwyth fans would've settled for the draw at this stage, but Marc Lloyd-Williams had other ideas. A minute after Spike scored Lloyd-Williams found himself in almost an identical position with the ball at his feet, and he also succeeded in finidng the net.

The Cofis were understandably shellshocked, but created two more chances before the final whistle. The first came from a Mick Maloney free kick which was floated into the box from midfield, with several players having chances to shoot before the Aber defence cleared their lines. With two minutes to go Calvin Davies's quick turn on the edge of the area gave him the chance to shoot, but Worsnop was equal to it and saved well at the foot of the post.

Caernarfon will feel aggrieved that they did not leave Park Avenue with at least a point but only have themselves to blame for two lapses of concentration in defence.

CAERNARFON TEAM: Makin (Gk), P Roberts, Maloney, Brandreth, Hogg, Norman, L Roberts, L Williams, Moores, C Davies, Wilson, Subs: Price, Griffiths, McIlvogue.

Report by Geraint Jones