INJURIES to three key players wrecked Llandudno's hopes of Welsh Cup glory as they lost 2-1 in extra time against NEWI Cefn Druids from the Welsh Premier.
Despite losing Neil Coverley after only 11 minutes with a calf injury, Llandudno took the lead on the stroke of half-time through Leighton Griffiths when Chris Hogg played him in on the right and he curled a shot into the far corner of the net.
They held that lead until the 75th minutes, but they suffered another major blow when they lost their main striker Lee Thomas with an ankle injury and 10 minutes later Cefn Druids equalised through a well-struck volley from substitute Lee Jones.
Llandudno also lost defender Sean Eardley with a hamstring injury but took the game into the second period of extra time before Darren Williams headed Cefn Druid's winner from a Lee Jones cross.
"The injuries had a big influence on the game - particularly when we lost Lee, because he is such an important player for us up front," admitted joint manager Deiniol Graham.
"They changed to three up front and it took us too long to deal with that and we paid the price with the equaliser.
"Even so we had chances to get a second goal and we have to be more clinical in front of goal if we are to compete with teams like this."
CONWY UNITED also put up a brave effort in the Welsh Cup before losing 3-2 away to Mid-Wales League side Twyn Bryncrug.
IT was a dismal day for COLWYN BAY who lost 3-0 at home to Sheffield FC in the Unibond Division South.
The Bay resorted too often to a long ball game against a big physical side and lacked imagination to open up their opponent's defence.
They were 1-0 down at half-time and conceded two goals in the space of three minutes in the second half which finished the game.
IN the Welsh Alliance GLAN CONWY won 2-0 at LLANRWST UNITED and LLANDUDNO JUNCTION beat Pwllheli 2-1.

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