PAUL Fleming wrote himself into Denbigh Town folklore as his stoppage-time winner ensured the Vale of Clwyd bragging rights remained firmly red in front of a club-record attendance.

1,145 supporters watched on as Ruthin took the lead via derby specialist Llyr Morris but a second-half double from Nathan Brown and the skipper Fleming sent the crowd wild in a passionate afternoon at Central Park.

The first chance of the game fell to Town within the first minute or so when a well-worked move found Brown who hit a tame effort into the grateful arms of Dan Goldstone.

Ruthin controlled possession for large parts of the match and carved out their first chance after 13 minutes, when a corner was cleared as far as captain Osian Davies who volleyed towards goal, but Aaron Jones held it firmly.

The closest opportunity came just before the 20-minute mark as Brown once again found himself with a sight of goal, swinging a volley towards the net but it slammed against the post.

In reality, chances were limited in the next 20 minutes or so, neither keeper being tested but Ruthin edging the contest and appearing in control. That paid off for the visitors as Llyr Morris was played through down the middle and dispatched the ball past Jones to open the scoring.

Ruthin sensing an opportunity almost doubled the advantage only for Morris’ weaving run to be blocked by Ben Lockley, before a shot at goal following a corner was cleared off the line by Josh Lock.

Half-Time: Denbigh Town 0-1 Ruthin Town.

Trailing at the break, Town came out with purpose but it was still Ruthin who had the first shot on goal. A free-kick from Jake Hampson was destined for the top corner before Jones made a sensational stop to tip it on to the crossbar.

Just over ten minutes into the half and Town restored parity, Brown was played through on goal by Lock and with a sweeping boot placed the ball to the right of the keeper in what was a superb finish.

Now Denbigh had the game by the scruff of the neck, following the hour mark Craig Pritchard made his way into the box on the right before unleashing a shot that had to once again be tipped over by Goldstone. Five minutes later he was involved again battling it out for the ball before laying it to Fleming, the skipper in turn fed Lock but he couldn’t keep his effort down.

Pritchard was a busy man, running on to a loose ball on the edge of the area and testing the keeper, but the game wasn’t all one way traffic. Sam Jones was free down the right with just the keeper to beat, but he dragged his effort wide of the mark.

Less than a minute later Town were ruining missed chances of their own, as substitute Danny Clarke was off balance and could only steer his shot into the side netting. Ben Lockley then looked like he might win it as a free-kick from deep found the defender sliding in, but the keeper made himself big and denied from close range.

As stoppage time began, Town continued to look for a famous winner. They duly delivered when Brown’s cross found the skipper Fleming who rise highest to slam the ball into the back of the net for some incredible scenes of jubilation throughout Central Park.

The win keeps the bragging rights in Denbigh if not for at least another week, with the next game the reverse, away to Ruthin Town on New Year’s Day.

Denbigh Town: A.Jones, Roberts, Lockley, Parry-Jones, S.Jones, Lock, Kershaw, Brown, Fleming, Pritchard, Weir.

Subs: Rogers, Thomas-Sadler, Hansen, Foulkes, Clarke, Lloyd

Referee: Sion Jones

Attendance: 1,145