Denbigh Town exited the WBS League Cup at the first hurdle on Saturday as a first-half collapse saw Gresford navigate through.

Three goals in the first period all but put the tie to bed with Denbigh unable to mount a comeback seeing them crash out of the competition.

Dewi Llion named six changes to the side that lost to Penrhyncoch on Monday with Alfie Vaughan starting for the first time and goalkeeper Luke Wilmot coming into the XI.

Meanwhile, Billy Holmes made his 150th Denbigh Town appearance, a remarkable achievement for the hometown defender.

The sign of things to come came after just two minutes when Denbigh had all the organisation of Oasis’ General Sale, as Wilmot was called in early to make a fine stop. Denbigh did have some flashes, Keelan Williams put in a cross that was nodded down by Vaughan before Keiron Roberts volleyed into the goalkeeper’s arms.

After 10 minutes David Forbes almost opened the scoring for the Colliers when his progress down the right saw a shot open up before Wilmot again denied. However, there was nothing Wilmot could do six minutes later. Charlie Mann from the left channel rifled an effort into the bottom corner.

Denbigh responded well, a great move saw Harrison Bellis set through before being pushed right of centre before dragging an effort just wide. Two minutes later though, the lead was doubled for the hosts. Haci Ozlu from the edge of the box picked up a sloppy Town pass before hitting home.

With 26 minutes gone Williams popped up with an effort from the right of the box forcing Dutton to tip over, and the resulting corner saw Iwan Roberts deliver for Bellis who thumped a header inches wide.

Just before the break Denbigh began clinging on as Gresford saw wave after wave of attack produce nothing, that was until Forbes latched on to a ball over the top, rounded Wilmot and netted the third.

Half-Time: Gresford Athletic 3-0 Denbigh Town

The second half was in reality a flat affair with the tie all but secure for Gresford, with neither goalkeeper tested in the opening 20 of the half. Denbigh were forced into a change on 51 minutes when Bellis took a knock and was replaced by Sam Duffy.

On 67 minutes Dan Parry-Jones had a header calmly dealt with by Lewis Dutton before Wilmot at the other end was called into action a minute later to deny substitute Toby Gallagher-Keenan’s powerful shot from the right of the box.

Denbigh had a flurry of chances late with Olly Hansen working the ball well to Duffy who fired wide via a deflection with a minute of normal time to play. Owen Davies caught on to a nice forward pass from Ben Lockley before firing over the bar, whilst Duffy had the last sighter but couldn’t steer it on target.

Town exit the competition and head to Flint Mountain in six days time looking for their first away win of the campaign.

Denbigh Town: Wilmot, Williams, B.Lockley, Parry-Jones, Holmes, I.Roberts, K.Roberts, Hansen, Davies, Vaughan, Bellis

Subs: Cooke, H.Lockley, Butler, Salisbury, Fleming, Duffy

Referee: Richard Wright

Attendance: 107

POTM: Luke Wilmot - Could have been worse had it not been for a string of great saves.