This was being billed as a "must win" game for Bangor, the defeat leaves City well behind the trailing pack as Autumn gives way to Winter. It would be comforting to refer to the injured list of absent friends, or to blame the referee, but this defeat owed much to poor defending and slack marking was City conceded their eleventh goal in four games.

It all started brightly with Rhyl's defence looking jittery and the elements driving City towards the St Pauls End. Lee Hunt, who led the line with tenacity, saw his second minute goalbound effort strike visting goalkeeper Paul Smith, the ball broke to Ricky Evans whose low drive fired a yard off target.

With Gary Roberts and Gareth Williams snapping into tackles City held sway in the opening half, forcing nine corners and taking the lead on 17 mins through Lee Hunt who followed in a 30 yd dipper from Clayton Blackmore which former Colwyn bay 'keeper Smith fumbled. Minutes later he slipped up again, a corner delivered from the right was headed just over by Huw Griffiths who found himself operating on the right of the Bangor rearguard.

From the seventh Bangor corner on 35 mins Gary Roberts had a shot blocked, then Alan Goodall sent a clean strike goalwards but this time Smith held cleanly to the relief of his visibly unsettled defence. The visitors struck back and forced three corners, the first of the sequence after a great save from Jason Turner from the dangerous Andy Moran.

City fans were contemplating their half time cuppa when Rhyl unexpectedly drew level. Marc Limbert found time and space on the right which allowed him to cross to Gary Powell wholly unmarked in the middle for simple close range finish. City forced a ninth corner as Gareth Williams shot was deflected, but could not make it count.

With the wind at their backs Rhyl and buoyed by the late equaliser Rhyl must have fancied their chances and sent on Chris McGinn in place of the injured Gareth Wilson. The opening exchanges saw Moran shoot wide, then Marc Limbert and Ricky Evans shot over from long distance.

However home hopes soared on 55 mins when Clayton Blackmore was on hand to drive home after good work on the left from Gary Roberts whose run and cross opened up the Lilywhites defence. Moments later the former Welsh International was called upon at the back to make a telling block as Rhyl forced a corner, then stand in keeper Jason Turner pulled off a good save from Moran before conceding a penalty to the marksman as he charged in on goal. Moran dusted himself down but sent the spot kick crashing against the foot of the post.

But on 67 mins the scores were level once more as Andy Moran gathered the ball on the edge of the six yard box, turned and saw his shot squeeze through Rae Ingrams legs into the net. Inspired by this effort Moran then ran amok, hitting the crossbar from fifteen yards.

Unfortunately Holyhead referee Brian Lawler seldom visits Farrar Road without making a hideous mistake. Today he made two, the first with 20 mins on the clock when Timmy Edwards pushed Kenny Burgess over in the Rhyl box. With City fans rubbing their hands in glee referee Lawler waved play on.

Ricky Evans then sent Kenny Burgess clear on the left, his inviting header was header just over by the luckless Gary Roberts. The Holyhead official scarcely redeemed himself on 75 mins with a yellow card for Brewerton for a block on Lee Hunt who was also cautioned for his response. Lee Hunt continued to run at the visitors defence and in one such foray cut in from the right but could not get a shot away. With five mins remaining Brewerton was rightly sent off for a trip on Kenny Burgess but another howler from the ref ended City's chances of victory when a visiting defender clearly punched the ball away from the penalty spot. License to kill.

In the final minute the ten men ventured forward, Moran's run led to a left wing cross which McGinn turned back to peroxide striker Gary Powell who scored his second point blank goal of the afternoon. Jubilation for the vistors, desparation for Bangor whose defence was as leaky as an old umbrella. Good luck to Rhyl, they have a chance of the title, and with wins at Bangor and TNS must feel very upbeat.

Bangor City: Jason Turner, Peter Hoy, Alan Goodall, Gareth Williams, Huw Griffiths, Rae Ingram, Kenny Burgess, , Lee Hunt, Ricky Evans, Gary Roberts Subs: Eifion Jones, Ross Jefferies, Paul Friel

Rhyl: Smith, Brewerton, Wood, Atherton, Edwards, M.Powell, Wilson, Limbert Moran, G.Powell, Graves. Subs: McGinn, Adamson

Report by: Mike Smith