Despite a gloomy weather forecast, more than 400 fans witnessed a keenly contested JD Welsh Cup Second Round tie between fifth tier Bangor 1876 and visitors Ruthin Town at Treborth on Saturday afternoon.

The main pre-match topic of discussion was the absence of talismanic forward Les Davies, suspended after picking up two yellow cards in the earlier rounds of the competition. Absent through injury was Jos Lloyd (broken metatarsal), while Matthew Lock and Cameron Barry also missed out with both suffering niggling injuries in the run-up to the match.

Management duo Mel Jones and Dylan Williams' pre-match plans suffered a further setback with substitute midfielder Luke Steele pulling up in the pre-match warm-up session.

Ahead of the traditional Remembrance Sunday tributes, a minute's silence was impeccably observed prior to kick off before Match Official Mark James got proceedings under way.

The home side suffered yet another setback with just four minutes played as veteran midfielder Iwan Williams pulled up through injury and was swiftly replaced by Jamie Thomas, forcing a reshuffle with Dafydd Thomas moving into the midfield anchor role alongside Ben Owen and Dylan Williams.

Ruthin provided the first effort on goal as Will Owen unleashed a right footed shot from range which flew over Bangor 1876 keeper Leon Jones' crossbar. Ben Owen responded with the home side's first clear opportunity on 19 minutes but his long-range strike lacked sufficient power to unduly trouble Ryan Goldston in the Ruthin goal.

Leon Jones produced a vital save as Owen again let fly with a ferocious effort for Ruthin with 25 minutes played. Five minutes later and the visitors drew first blood as centre back Kevin Evans powered in a header off the underside of the crossbar from a set-piece delivery.

Bangor 1876 responded immediately and Dylan Summers-Jones' willingness to run at his opponents saw him beat his marker down the left hand side before sending the ball across the face of the Ruthin goalmouth but beyond the onrushing Jamie Petrie and Benn Lundstram.

As the home side piled on the pressure, appeals for a penalty were dismissed as Bangor 1876 searched for the equaliser. Ruthin responded in kind and Bangor 1876 centre back Cian Williams was the first yellow card of the afternoon as he conceded a free kick on the edge of the penalty area. Leon Jones again pulled off a smart save as he dived low to his right to repel Rhys Davies' free kick.

Half Time: CPD Bangor 1876 FC 0-1 Ruthin Town FC

Within five minutes of the restart, Ruthin doubled their advantage as the prolific Llyr Morris sprung the offside trap to bear down on goal and clinically slot home beyond Leon Jones for a 2-0 lead.

Slowly but surely, Bangor 1876 increased the tempo and began to exert a degree of authority on the match. A 64th minute free kick provided a potential route back into proceedings for the home side but Benn Lundstram's effort direct on goal lacked the necessary venom to beat Goldston in the Ruthin goal.

On 65 minutes Ruthin made their first change with Gwydion Owen replacing Will Owen. The tigerish Dylan Williams then picked up a caution for dissent as he protested an offside decision before Bangor 1876 were forced into another change. Louis McFarlane replaced Jamie Thomas and slotted in alongside skipper Michael Johnston at the heart of the defence with Cian Williams moving to right-back.

Shortly thereafter Jamie Petrie was unlucky to see a goalbound effort deflected behind for a corner kick. With 72 minutes played, Ruthin skipper Ilan Hughes was yellow carded for upending Dafydd Thomas. Shaun Lock's resulting free kick was headed agonisingly onto the roof of the Ruthin net as Bangor 1876 cranked up the pressure.

With a quarter of an hour remaining, the energetic Dafydd Thomas was booked for a challenge on Rhys Davies in front of the Ruthin bench. As the home side continued to push for the elusive goal, Ruthin countered and Llyr Morris turned inside his defensive markers only to see his strike saved by the impressive Leon Jones.

Ryan Goldston was fortunate to only see yellow on 81 minutes as he collided mid-air with Jamie Petrie as Bangor 1876's marksman found himself through on goal from a lofted pass. Unfortunately for the home side, the under-pressure Ruthin defence proved resilient enough to clear the resulting free kick and a series of corners and long-throws from Shaun Lock.

Further substitutions from each side punctuated the closing stages with youngster Leon Owens replacing the tireless Benn Lundstram for the home side. Bangor's last throw of the dice saw Shaun Lock unleash a fierce left-footed strike from 25-yards which Goldston did well to save with both hands on the ball.

So, Bangor 1876's first venture into the JD Welsh Cup came to a close but a spirited performance against second-tier opposition bodes well for the coming months. While Ruthin go into Monday's Third Round draw, Bangor 1876's attention now turns to next Saturday's Bob Owen Memorial Shield fixture against CPD Llanystumdwy and the subsequent bread-and-butter of the Gwynedd Football League programme.

Full Time: CPD Bangor 1876 FC 0-2 Ruthin Town FC

Referee: Mark James; Assistant Referees: Ryan Hughes & Nathan Jones