Smith brace kills off Nomads' hopes

gap Connah’s Quay finally relinquished a place in the final just a few minutes from time, after sub Paul Smith celebrated his 18th-birthday by netting two late goals.

Until then, the Nomads had a foothold in the tie, despite trailing 3-2 on aggregate, as they went in search of an away goal to level matters.

Rhyl started at a fast pace and levelled the aggregate scores after eight minutes when a long punt forward found Marc Connolly who smashed a 25-yarder into the bottom right corner.

The Lillies went close to doubling their advantage through Lee Hunt, who headed a Tyrone Kirk cross straight into the arms of keeper Terry McCormick.

Danny Forde fired just over and Mike Hayes then went close in counter attacks for the visitors, while Stuart Scheuber's header flew harmlessly over the crossbar.

Hunt went close to a second as he rounded McCormick before firing into the side netting but made no mistake five minutes before the break, heading in from a Martyn Naylor centre.

Nomads pushed forward late in the game and came close on a couple of occasions, but Smith settled matters with two breakaway goals after good work from former Nomad Phil Doran.

Report and stats courtesy of welsh-premier.com