Port resisted the temptation to engage in a long ball battle -choosing instead to return to a refreshing passing game and in so doing secured a valuable three points to complete the double over their Gwynedd rivals. Port had made their intentions clear on the night by selecting wingers Steve Pugh and Graham Austin. The visitors, however, took a little time to settle on what was a bumpy and uneven surface and were grateful to see keeper McGuigan quickly out of his goal to save at the feet of Kieron Durkan after 7 mins.

The signs that Port would take control of the game were soon apparent with Mike Foster and Graham Austin combining well to set up Mark Williams on the left of the home box but the striker's shot from a narrow angle was well saved by keeper Willcock.

Port were now enjoying a good period of pressure with Dafydd Evans, after 19 mins, setting up Pugh on the right but though the winger did well to break to the bye-line his cross was cut out by Brandreth. A minute later and Caughter with a perfectly judged through ball sent Pugh clear on the right of the box but the low finish was well saved by Willcock at the expense of a corner. The goal which seemed likely as Port applied the pressure came after 22 mins when Mark Williams did well to control under pressure midway into the Canaries half before turning well and measuring his pass perfectly for Gareth Caughter supporting from midfield who found the net with a good finish from 18 yds. Soon after Durkan, the former Wrexham and Swansea professional, was withdrawn and striker Calvin Davies was introduced.

Later Willcock was forced to save at full stretch when Hobson headed back a flying Austin header. The home side strove to get back on terms before the interval but their route one high ball efforts were well countered by Lee Webber and Ryan Davies who completely restricted the experienced pairing of Steve Watkin and Calvin Davies. Behind them Gerard McGuigan was totally secure under the high ball controlling his box confidently. Half-time came with the visitors well worthy of the lead.

Port's superiority became even more marked after the interval and Pugh had a hand in creating two openings for Graham Austin but the winger was narrowly off target when well placed. Almost immediately Mark Williams set up Caughter with a good cross from the left but the header flew wide of the target. On the hour Austin returned the compliment to supply Pugh but Willcock was quickly out to smother the shot. Caernarfon meantime created little and their only real threat on goal came when Wayne Phillips, in the 70th minute, was adjudged to have been brought down on the edge of the box and Dylan Owen's free-kick curled narrowly wide. Two minutes later and Port scored the second goal which they thoroughly deserved. Once again it came thanks to good work by Mark Williams who robbed a dithering Paul Roberts in his own box and squared the ball for the advancing Pugh to shoot low past Willcock.

There was now no way back for the Cofis and indeed the visitors were worth more than a two goal victory against the expensively assembled home side. Gareth Parry who came on for Austin late on gave notice that he is getting over his injury sending a couple of sweeping 30 yard passes to both wings which could have brought additions to the score. This was a good all round performance by Port with McGuigan and the excellent back-four in front of him ensuring that Caernarfon could not create a single worthwhile goal scoring opportunity -producing a rare cleansheet. On this occasion sufficient chances were also created and taken to give a well deserved victory.

Caernarfon: Willcock, Paul Roberts, Mike Maloney, Wayne Phillips, Tim Brandreth, Mark Hobson, Kieran Durkan, Leigh Williams, Steve Watkin, Dylan Owen, Martyn Chalk.
Subs: Calvin Davies, Dave Norman, Luke Campbell

Port: McGuigan, John G Jones, Ryan Davies, Lee Webber, Mike Foster, Steve Pugh (Danny hughes), Dafydd Evans, Ritchie Owen, Graham Austin(Gareth Parry), Gareth Caughter, Mark Williams (Tony Williams)

Report by Gareth Williams