COLWYN BAY may have to win all of their last three games to make the play-offs after a controversial end to a 1-0 defeat at Gresley Rovers today (Saturday).
Referee Richard Smith blew for time as a header from goalkeeper Jamie Speare, who had come up for a corner in the dying seconds, was on the way into the net for what would have been a priceless equaliser.
The Seagulls were furious that the referee added only two extra minutes despite a lengthy stoppage for an injury to the Gresley keeper, five substitutions and some blatant time wasting tactics by the home side.
Colwyn Bay were on top for much of the first half but missed the presence up front of top scorer Neil Black, who was kept on the bench until the 86th minute because of a hamstring injury.
Anthony Wright turned well in the box but shot wide of the target and Mark Quayle volleyed inches wide from a Joe Fowler cross before Gresley keeper Dave Clarke produced a top class save to keep out an acrobatic bicycle kick by Chris Taylor from a corner.
Gresley came more into the game in the second half with Dave Blenkinsop looking a threat up front, and he gained them a penalty on 67 minutes when Paul Williams was adjudged to have fouled him in the box.
Tom Groves saw his spot kick hit the bar and scrambled clear by the Bay, but Gresley took the lead four minutes later with a glancing header by centre half Dan Douglas when the Bay were caught out by a short corner.
Colwyn Bay laid siege to the Gresley goal after that with Quayle and Fowler both having shots well saved by the keeper and then in the 31st minute a free kick by Lee Hoolickin was finger-tipped onto the bar and over by the keeper.
Everybody piled forward for the corner but when the ball was played in, the referee blew for time as Speare jumped to head into the net.
Colwyn Bay:Speare, Wynne, (Black 86), P Williams, Callaghan, Taylor, R Williams, Fowler, Hoolickin, Wright, Quayle, Lawless (Wade 63). Sub not used: Rowland.
Although Goole and Sheffield both lost, Belper, Nantwich and Stocksbridge all won and Grantham got a point in a 1-1 draw at Cammell Laird.
The Bay are six points behind fifth-placed Grantham with two games in hand and a superior goal difference.

LLANDUDNO appeared to raise the white flag in the race for runners-up spot in the Cymru Alliance with a feeble first half performance in a 3-0 defeat at struggling Buckley Town.
And that on a day when rivals Bala dropped two points in a 1-1 draw at Llandrynog!
Victory for Llandudno would have put them back on level points, but without four regular first teamers, too many the side played as though they had already thrown in the towel after last week's controversial defeat at Guilslfield and they were 2-0 down at half-time to a well taken goal from Allen Dawson and a gift of goal for Matthew Phillips after a mix-up between Llandudno keeper Sean Pearson and his defence,
Llandudno improved in the second half, but it was 71 minutes before home keeper Lewis Machin had a shot to save and he was never extended.
Buckley added a third goal from Phillips following a corner on 72 minutes to sew up what must have been three of the easiest points they have gained all season.

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