RHYS GRIFFITHS praised Flint Town United for making things difficult for his Penybont side in a 3-1 triumph.

The league leaders did manage to secure an 11th win of the season to stretch their advantage to seven points, but boss Griffiths knew his side had been involved in a real battle with the Silkmen.

He told S4C’s Sgorio: “I thought we played well at times, first half in particular, and second half, perhaps not so much.

“But you’ve got to give Flint some credit. I thought they played well.

“They caused us problems throughout. I think we were deserved winners and we created, probably, a lot more chances than they did.

“But they were a threat throughout and if they’d scored, perhaps, in the last 20 minutes, it might have been a bit more nervy.”

James Crole handed the front-runners the lead, while two goals in first half stoppage time put Penybont well in control.

Mael Davies and Chris Venables netted within a minute of each other to leave Flint with a mountain to climb.

Credit to the away side, though, as they hit back with a strike from Harry Owen after the break.

“Penybont are a good team and if you’re going to give them a leg-up, they’re going to take it very quickly,” said Flint boss Lee Fowler.

“To concede two goals within a minute, it’s been a little bit of an Achilles heel of ours and it’s disappointing, because I thought it was a game that we were well in.”