CYD y Rhyl's final home game of the season had a fitting opponent in the shape of local rivals St Asaph in front of almost 400 people at Belle Vue.

The match was dedicated to the memory of lifelong Rhyl fan Mike Rushworth who sadly passed away recently, with everyone at the club sending their heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.

The Lilywhites lined up for a second game running with Jonny Taylor in goal, only four days after his first outing due to the absence of Ryan Woods.

After picking up a muscular injury late on in midweek fixture, Ollie Staveley would be rested with Meirion Pughe deputising, in what was the only change from the victory against Llanefydd.

City came into the game having drawn the previous three, looking to keep pace with Nantlle Vale in the Ardal Northwest. They had former 1879 regular Sion Williams in the heart of their defence in his first game back at Belle Vue since leaving earlier in the season.

The game got underway beneath the glorious April sunshine and on a pitch that would rival many a Premier League surface for a fixture so deep into the season.

The early exchanges were fraught for both sides, neither able to grab the imagination of the watching crowd.

The visitors took the opportunity to take control of the game as the stretched, forcing Rhyl back they were able to play through the gaping hole left in midfield and launched attack after attack. With 1879 hanging on, St Asaph smelt blood and would make the pressure pay off in the 26th minute. A move down the right saw Liam Grayson send the ball across the box to the unmarked Jake Walker, who took the ball down and, in one swift move. bent the ball around Jonny Taylor and into the far side netting (0-1).

Having just conceded Rhyl went up the other end and forced a corner, which was saved by Luke Jones, the Lilywhites pressure was short-lived and after losing the ball in the St Asaph half, the counter attack was on. Daniel Clarke who played the ball to James Williams, who broke the offside trap and fired across goal to double the lead (0-2).

The rest of the half was even harder to watch for home fans as City pressed, 1879 looking a shadow of the side they had lead the league for over six months. To their credit they stopped another goal from being scored. The highlight of the half would by a dogged Casey Faulkner, who has impressed all season, putting in tackle after tackle as the visitors targeted the right-hand side.

The half time interval couldn’t have come quicker for manager Gareth Thomas, and strong words must have been exchanged in the changing room at half time. Thomas was forced into making his first change with Luke Griffin replacing Harvey Edgar during the break.

Whatever Thomas said worked as from the outset of the second half the energy was completely different, and chances started to be created. Alex Jones was instrumental in pushing the boys forward as always, they would finally get on the scoresheet after 65 minutes. A great move ended with Leigh Craven sending in a delightful corner into the six yard box where Callum Parry was able to beat City keeper Luke Jones to the ball, heading home his 21st League goal of the season (1-2).

Rhyl's second substitute would come in the 78th minute, Oli Buckley was replaced by Sam Ashton.

The 1879 pressure would not subside, Alex Jones was denied a penalty shout in 82nd minute, as he passed two St Asaph players cutting in from the righ before being halted by a poorly-timed tackle by City skipper.

On 87 minutes, Jordan Worthington replaces Jonny Taylor, Jordan returning after missing all season with a knee injury - a sight acknowledged by the Rhyl faithful.

Callum Parry bagged the equaliser and his 22nd league goal of the season in the 91st minute, Leigh Craven again the provider, this time from open play. Craven sent a cross into Parry who was quickest to react and able loop his header over Luke Jones who was rushing off his line (2-2).

Callum would almost steal the victory and all three points deep into injury time when a well-worked move saw his effort cleared off the line.

The draw leaves the Lilywhites still top by just one point, with Flint Mountain second.

Next up for 1879 will be the trip to Conwy Borough on April 27t

CDP Y Rhyl 1879 – J. Taylor (GK), C. Faulkner, M. Pughe, J. Jones, R. Fairhurst (CP), L. Craven, H. Edgar, A. Jones, O. Buckley, C. Parry, J. Cairns. Subs – L. Griffin, O. Staveley, S. Ashton, J. Worthington.

St Asaph City – L. Jones (GK), C. Murphy, D. Clarke, S. Williams, D. Hayes (CP), J. Foulkes, M. Beach, L. Grayson, R. Potts, J. Walker, J. Williams. Subs – A. Ward-Jones (GK), E. Blench, M. Price, J. Brewerton, I. Carey.