Recently by Tim Channon

COLWYN BAY boss Jon Newby says he aims to carry on playing next season.
The 33-year-old former Liverpool and Bury striker is looking for the Seagulls to build on a season of consolidation in the Conference North and believes he can play his part on the pitch.
Although he only scored six goals last season (four of those before he took over the managerial chair in October) as compared to 18 the previous season, he had numerous assists and Colwyn Bay always looked a better side from an attacking point of view when he was on the pitch.
"I feel that I can still contribute something as a player and that I probably have a couple more seasons left in me - injuries permitting," he commented this week.
He is hoping to strengthen the squad with a couple of key signings and says he has had talks with a number players.
"We have one or two irons in the fire, but it is very early days yet as players want to weigh up their options over the next few weeks before making a decision," said Newby.
Several of last year's squad have already agreed to stay on and the club are hoping to fend off reported interest from Bangor City by offering a contract to attacking full-back Mike Lea, who picked up both the manager's and players' Player of the Season awards last month.
"We have offered Mike what I feel is a very good deal and I am hoping that he will accept," said Newby.
Right-back Luke Denson, who has just won the Club Player of the Season award, has been in Scotland recently for trials with Scottish Premier Division club Inverness Caledonian Thistle and is expecting a decision this week on whether they are to offer him a full-time contract.
"I would be very sorry to see Luke go, but also delighted for him if he is given a chance to go full-time. He has worked very hard and deserves the opportunity," added Newby.
Meanwhile, Colwyn Bay are holding back on finalising their pre-season programme until newly crowned Premiership champions Manchester City confirm a date for the friendly that they have agreed to play at Llanelian Road's Red Lion Foods stadium.
The Seagulls have, however, provisionally arranged away games at Rhyl on July 21st, Runcorn Linnets on July 24th and Warrington Town on August 7th.

LOOKING back at an extraordinary 2011-12 season, probably the biggest achievement of all at Colwyn Bay was off the field with the fantastic hard work put in by everyone involved in getting the new 500-seater stand completed within deadline.
But the team has certainly played their part too, in successfully retaining the club's Conference North status with what, overall, has been a tremendous effort - especially after the shock departure of Dave Challinor and Colin Woodthorpe to Fylde at the end of October.
A 12th place finish with 53 points in their first season in the second tier of non-league football exceeded many expectations at the start of the campaign, and yet up until early February they were very much in contention for the promotion play-offs.
The shoulder injury to Chris Sanna, who is hoping intensive phsyio over the summer will avoid a need for surgery, possibly played as big a part as anything in the sudden slump which saw a run of nine defeats in 11 games.
After Sanna returned from missing five games with the injury, the Seagulls had a run of five consecutive clean sheets, but when the shoulder broke down again in early February and ruled him out for the rest of the season, it seemed to unsettle the whole defence and Colwyn Bay kept only one more clean sheet in their remaining 16 games.
A dismal performance at Workington was probably the lowest point of that poor 11-game run, but all credit to Jon Newby and the players for pulling it round. Five points from the last three unbeaten games steered the side clear of an amazing relegation battle which saw eight teams on the final Saturday still in danger of finishing the bottom three.
A struggle to score goals on a consistent basis was the biggest problem over the season, but there were some notable victories including the 6-3 home win over Droylsden, including a Danny Lloyd hat-trick, and particularly the 4-0 away win at Stalybridge in which Rob Hopley scored three goals in nine minutes either side of half-time.
My Goal of the Season? Well there were two fantastic 30 yard efforts from Shelton Payne and Karl Noon in the thrilling 3-2 victory over Boston, a great strike by Bradley Barnes in the FA Cup defeat at Stocksbridge, Rob Hopley's looping header to complete his hat-trick at Stalybridge, and Mike Lea goes very close with his effort at Droylsden when his run down the left from his own half saw him cut inside and score with a low screamer into the far bottom corner of the net from what must have been all of 35 yards.
But I have gone for a goal by Luke Denson from a free kick at Stalybridge. Colwyn Bay struggled to score from set pieces all season but when Gaz Evans was brought down from behind 25 yards from goal after a storming run from his own half, 'The Denson' scored with a sublime free kick, curled over the defensive wall and into the far top corner of the net with home keeper Craig MacGillvray given no chance of saving.
It was a fantastic dead ball strike and I remember Jon Newby commenting afterwards: "I think Luke will be reminding us of that goal for quite a few weeks."
That was certainly one of the highlights of a roller coaster of a season, but here are my top 10 best memories of the Seagulls landmark first campaign as a Conference North club:

Number 10: The 10-0 win over Blaenau in the Coast Cup. Lee McEvilly scored four, although Lee Davey's header from Shelton Payne's cross was probably the goal of the game.
Number 9: It was always going to be a tough start to their first campaign in the Conference North when Colwyn Bay had to make the long overnight trip to Bishop's Stortford back in August, but they responded with a 2-0 victory to get off the mark with three great points thanks to headed goals from John McKenna and Sean Doherty.
Number 8: A good recovery from a goal down saw a 2-1 victory over Histon in September. Domaine Rouse and Danny Lloyd set up the chance for Luke Denson to hit the winner with a rifled shot into the bottom corner of the net.
Number 7: There was a tremendously committed rearguard action in the 2-1 FA Trophy replay win at Halifax in November after Chris Sanna had saved a penalty in the 0-0 draw at Colwyn Bay. The Seagulls enjoyed some good fortune, but made the most of it with a really gritty defensive performance after a penalty and a bizarre own goal had put them in front.
Number 6: It proved unlucky 13 for Stalybridge Celtic in October when Colwyn Bay beat them 2-0 at Llanelian Road to smash their 12-match unbeaten record. After going four matches without a win, Mike Lea scored from close range in the opening minute and then Lee Davey calmly put away a second half penalty to clinch the points and condemn Celtic to their first defeat.
Number 5: Jon Newby gained the Manager of the Month award for January, just 12 weeks after stepping into the breach when Dave Challinor departed. Colwyn Bay put together a seven-match unbeaten run to help secure the new boss his first award in management.
Number 4: Rob Hopley scored an expertly taken goal, chipped over the advancing keeper, for a precious 1-1 draw at play-off finalists Nuneaton in the penultimate game of the season. The Seagulls were given little chance of getting anything from the game, but they put in a great performance - and that, I believe, played a huge part in restoring confidence and belief to finish the season with a strong 4-2 home win over Gloucester on that nerve-jangling final day.
Number 3: The 4-0 win at Stalybridge Celtic. Although the turning point was the first half red card for Celtic's Andy McWilliams, this was an outstanding away result and performance by Colwyn Bay, led by Rob Hopley's nine-minute hat-trick - his first treble in nearly a year. John McKenna, my player of the season for his versatile whole-hearted performances both as a centre back and in midfield, was again outstanding.
Number 2: What a debut it was for Frank Sinclair in a seven-goal thriller at Altrincham after he signed in early January. A very open attacking game swung one way and then the other, and at 3-3 both sides had chances to win it. But two minutes into added time it was the ex-Chelsea defender who stole the headlines by smashing in the winner following a corner.
Number 1: A storming comeback from 1-2 down to win 3-2 in a tremendous midweek game at home to Boston in February. A 30 yard volley from Shelton Payne made it 2-2 and then with just three minutes left, Karl Noon (a half-time substitute for injured Frank Sinclair) won it with another long range rocket for his second goal of the game. That thrillng second half fightback was the stand-out performance of the season for me.
Roll on next season!

COLWYN BAY have got major plans in the pipeline for next season after securing their Conference North status.
For the first time in a number of years the club are set to run an under-18s development squad, and are applying to join the Clwyd Reserve Premier League, to play alongside teams from Rhyl, Connah's Quay, Llandudno and Conwy.
Home matches will be played on a Friday night.
"We have already identified a manager who will be appointed in the next fortnight or so, along with a secretary," reported chairman Bob Paton.
"We feel it is the way to progress and to try and bring through some young local players. Even if only one or the two make it into first team it will have been worth it.
"It will also give us another pool of players to dip into should the senior squad be struggling for numbers at any time through injuries, illness or suspensions and will save Jon (Newby) having to chase around for loan players to fill in."
The club are also going ahead with plans to build two executive boxes in the new stand that has just been completed, to provide corporate hospitality and help bring in extra revenue on match days.
"We have already had some interest which is encouraging and it is the way we must go if we are to survive financially at this level of the game," added the chairman.

COLWYN BAY secured their Conference North status with a storming first half to beat Gloucester City 4-2 in their final game of the season today.
Goals from Rob Hopley, a Fraser McLachlan penalty, Gaz Evans and John McKenna in the space of 40 minutes put the Bay 4-0 at half-time to seal victory and vanquish any lingering relegation fears.
And although Gloucester gave a spirited performance in the second half to pull a couple of goals back late on, Colwyn Bay fully deserved their win which means they finish a very creditable 12th in the table with 53 points.
On a day when any one of eight teams could have gone down, it was Hinckley United who finally took the drop after losing at Stalybridge.
More good news for the Bay is that Jon Newby is committed to carrying on as manager next season when the Bay will be taking on the likes of Darlington, Kettering and Chester in what is going to be a tremendously competitive division. FC United are also only one game away after winning their play-off semi-final today.
Newby was a key figure in Bay's win today, playing a big part in three of the goals.
His neat lay off from Luke Denson's free kick set up the first, which Hopley rifled home from 18 yards for his 14th of the season, and it was a barge in the back on the player-manager as he went up for a header that produced the penalty which was expertly put away again by McLachlan.
Gaz Evans hit a screamer from nearly 30 yards less than a minute later for the third goal and then when Newby's shot was blocked by a defender on 43 minutes the ball rebounded for McKenna to score the fourth.
In the second half Newby and Danny Meadowcroft had goalbound shots deflected over the bar off defenders, Gloucester keeper Chris Humphries made a fine save to turn a Luke Denson pile-driver round the post and McKenna, who had an outstanding game in midfield, was very unlucky when his clever chip over the keeper dropped inches wide of the far post.
Gloucester, to their credit showed great spirit to keep battling away, encouraged by some excellent away support, and after Andy Metcalf had made a superb save from a Matt Rose header, they were rewarded when Darren Edwards pulled a couple of goals back in the last 20 minutes.
He got the first from a penalty after Darren Mullings was bundled over in the box, and then scrambled in a second from close range in the last minute.
But it remained a day of celebration for the Seagulls and as Jon Newby said aftewards, a 12th place finish is a fair reflection on the team's efforts overall and an excellent effort in their first season at this level.
Chairman Bob Paton announced afterwards that agreement has been reached for Jon Newby to carry on as manager and the former Liverpool and Bury striker says he is delighted to do so.
"Since I have been here this club has become very special to me and I want to continue the job I'm doing," he said.
Although he offered his resignation after the defeat at Workington earlier this month, he said: "The most important thing for me is that the club stays at this level. Often when teams are going through a bad spell a new manager can prompt a response, and I just felt if me standing down and someone else coming in could help us get the points we needed to stay up then I was happy to do that.
"But never at any stage did I want to leave the club. The chairman refused the offer and we have managed to turn things around thanks to the fantastic effort that the players have put in.
"It has been hard for me from suddenly being their friend to being their manager, but they have been superb all season with their commitment, attitude and performances - and particularly so over the last three weeks."
Unfortunately he is expecting to lose one of two of them in the summer.
"I know there are two or three of them who have had very good offers to go elsewhere, including some from Welsh Premier clubs who have more money than we do, but there are also players who enjoy it here and want to continue to play for me so hopefully we can still keep a few of them.
"We know we will lose one or two, but we will be working tirelessly during the summer to try and find quality replacements."
Frank Sinclair may also have played his last game as he is considering calling time on his illustrious playing career to concentrate on media work.
"I already work for Chelsea TV and I have also had another TV offer which would require me being free on Saturdays so I have to think very hard about that because (at 40) that is my long term future now," he told me after today's game.
"But I have really enjoyed my time at Colwyn Bay, it has been great to have a chance to play at this standard again."
Newby will certainly be sorry to see him go, and said: "If this was his last match today then we'll be sad because we have really enjoyed having him here. He has been absolutely fantastic and I can't speak highly enough of him.
"He is a tremendous fella to have in the dressing room. He has achieved so much in the game and the knowledge and experience he has had at the top level has been invaluable to us.
"Over the last few weeks he has gone out of his way to ring me upat different times to offer advice and give me the benefit of his vast knowledge of the game to help us get out of our bad run and that shows the calibre of the guy.
"I am playing in a charity game with him tomorrow so I will work on him!"
Colwyn Bay: Metcalf, Denson, Lea, Meadowcorfot, Sinclair, Hughes, Evans (Davey 86mins), McKenna, Hopley (Noon 84mins), Newby (Ennis 71mins), McLachlan. Subs: not used: Benson, Roberts.
Attendance: 476.

THE end of season awards went to:
Club player of the season: Luke Denson.
Manager's Player of the season: Mike Lea.
Leading goal scorer: Rob Hopley (14 goals).
Supporter's Player of the season: Gaz Evans.
Player's Player of the season: Mike Lea.
President's Player of the season: John McKenna.
The players also made their own presentations to groundsman Elfed Morris, kitman Brian Kelly, and treasurer Bill Murray.
A supporters meeting as been called for Sunday May 20th to discuss setting up working parties to carry out a number of key jobs around the ground during the summer ahead of next season.

THIS blog will continue during the summer break to relay any news from the club concerning matters on and off the field.

IT is set to be quite a day in the Blue Square Bet North's extraordinary relegation battle on Saturday, but Colwyn Bay know they just need to do their job to be safe.
One point from the final home game against Gloucester City (3pm) will be enough secure their place for next season on a day in which any one of eight teams could finish in the final relegation place.
But player-boss Jon Newby is looking for his side to end the season on a high with a win that would take them above Gloucester and could even see them finish in 12th place.
"I think that would be a pretty fair reflection on our first season in the league, but to be honest I don't really mind where we finish as long as we get the job done," he says.
"Everyone knows what is required and the game can't come quick enough to be honest.
"We only need a point to be safe, but we want to finish with a win and it is impossible anyway to go out and just play for a draw.
"At the same time we can't afford to go at it gung ho; we need to get the balance right.
"I think we showed in last Saturday's draw at Nuneaton the way to play, because we were tight at the back but still created the better chances and were disappointed at the finish not to have taken all three points."
That suggests the likelyhood of an unchanged team against Gloucester with no injury worries from last weekend.
Everton loanee goalkeeper Connor Roberts is back after a bout of glandular fever but is likely to be on the bench, with Andy Metcalf keeping his place in the starting line-up.
"Andy has done really well in the last couple of games," said Newby. "Connor is still not 100 per cent, but I he will probably be on the bench because it is important we have goalkeeping cover for this game."
Colwyn Bay (from): Metcalf, Denson, Lea, Meadowcroft, Sinclair, Hughes, Evans, McKenna, Hopley, Newby, McLachlan, Davey, Noon, Collins, Ennis, Benson, King, Roberts.
Gloucester, who have been hit by injuries and suspensions lately and have lost five of their last seven games, are still expecting to bring around 100 fans with them, many of them in fancy dress which is a club tradition for the last game of the season (a prize given for the best fancy dress).
Defender Matt Coupe has a particular interest in the game as this mother grew up in Colwyn Bay and he has a number of relatives still living around the Colwyn Bay and Llandudno area.
The 34-year-old former Welsh Under-21 international, who has also played for Aberystwyth, Forest Green Rovers and Bath City, however, is struggling to overcome a foot injury.
The Colwyn Bay Player of the Year awards will be made in the clubhouse after the game (probably around 6.30pm). Voting forms will be available at the gate or from behind the bar until half-time.
A reminder there is admission discounts of £7 for adults, £4 concessions and £14 for a family ticket (two adults and up to six children) before 2.30pm.

The other key games in the relegation battle on Saturday, with two points seperating eight teams (in bold type) are:
Corby v Harrogate Town
Droylsden v Vauxhall Motors
Histon v Hyde
Solihull Moors v FC Halifax
Stalybridge Celtic v Hinckley Utd
Worcester City v Workington

COLWYN BAY got a precious point in a 1-1 draw at Nuneaton today and took a big step towards securing their Conference North status.
They led after 16 minutes when Rob Hopley beat the offside trap to latch onto a long ball from the back and chipped it over the keeper into the far corner of the net.
And although Andy Metcalf had to make a flying save to tip a shot from Eddie Nusevic over the bar, the Seagulls were well worth their lead at half-time.
They should then have gone 2-0 up when Mike Lea had a great chance from Hopley's pull back, but fired over the bar from 16 yards.
Hopley also worked himself a good opening but home keeper Neil Collettt raced off his line to block the shot with his body.
Those missed opportunities proved costly on 67 minutes when a miscued clearance by Matty Hughes, while challenging Danny Glover's run jinking into the area, hit the bar and rebounded perfectly for Nisevic to equalise.
Nuneaton pushed for a winner in the closing minutes, but Metcalf was not seriously tested and Colwyn Bay held out to take home the point.
For much of the game Colwyn Bay were back to the level of performance that they were giving earlier in the season when they were on such a good run, and player-boss Jon Newby was even a bit frustrated that his side had not taken all three points against a Nuneaton side struiving to secure their place in the promotion play-offs.
"I thought we were the better side and had two or three great chances which on another day might have gone in," said Newby.
"They've then equalised with a freak goal when the ball has dropped straight to their lad off the bar when it could easily have bounced up and over or dropped into Andy's hands.
"We just don't seem to have had that sort of luck with the bounce of the ball over the last six or seven weeks.
"But I can't fault the lads. I thought the effort, commitment and performance they put in was fantastic.
"It was the same last week and I think they have realised just how much staying in this division means to the club and everyone connected with it."
Rob Hopley again worked tirelessly up front, and Danny Meadowcroft and Frank Sinclair were superb at the back, but although everyone put in a shift I would give my man of the match to John McKenna who put in some great work all over the pitch.
Now victory next Saturday at home to Gloucester will secure Conference North football again next season, although it is still incredibly tight with just two points separating eight teams in the fight to stay out of the bottom three going into the final Saturday.
Hinckley have now dropped into the third relegation spot, two points behind Colwyn Bay, after losing at home to Blyth Spartans today and have an away trip to Stalybridge to come in their last game.
Workington, Histon, Harrogate and Solihull all drew today, while Vauxhall and Bishop's Stortford both won.
Solihull have a tough game against strong play-off contenders Halifax next weekend while Harrogate are away to Corby, Workington travel to Worcester and Vauxhall are at Droylsden.
Newby, however, insists: "There is no point relying on other teams losing; we've got to make sure we do our job against Gloucester and a win will make us safe no matter what happens elsewhere.
"In many ways I wish it was tomorrow so we can get it done and dusted and finally be able to relax and look forward to next season!"
And there is plenty to look forward to, with the likes of Darlington, Kettering and Chester coming into the division next term.
Colwyn Bay: Metcalf, Denson, Lea, Meadowcroft, Sinclair, Hughes, Evans, McKenna, Hopley, Newby (Ennis 76mins), McLachlan (Noon 90mins). Subs not used: Collins, Benson and Davey.
Attendance: 856.

COLWYN BAY player-boss Jon Newby is banking on experience as his side face eight days of destiny in their fight for Conference North survival.
They have a mammoth task on Saturday when they travel to fourth-placed Nuneaton for whom three points will clinch their place in the promotion play-offs.
But Newby says that their fate was always going to come down to next week's final game at home to Gloucester City.
"I think we have been very unfortunate that in our first season in the league somebody could be going down with 50 points - that is very, very unusual," he said.
"But it is the situation we find ourselves in and the players have got to be up for the challenge, look forward to it and make sure they give their very best in these last two games."
Colwyn Bay go into Saturday's match only two points above the relegation places and one of eight teams separated by just three points and all scrapping to stay out of the bottom three.
Newby looks like sticking to a largely unchanged side from that which drew with Harrogate Town last weekend, and has allowed loanee Jamie Morton to return early to Wrexham.
"Jamie is a good player, but I feel that the position we are in we have to go with our most experienced players. It is only fair to him, therefore, to let him go back to Wrexham to get some games in before the end of the season," said Newby.
Andy Metcalf will continue in goal as Everton loanee goalkeeper Connor Roberts is again ruled out after suffering glandular fever, but Newby is hopeful Roberts will be available for the crunch final game against Gloucester next week.
"I feel it is vital we go into that game with two goalkeepers in the squad and hopefully after a few more days rest Connor will be okay," added Newby.
He admits he may slightly tweak his side's formation to try and combat Nuneaton's two attacking full-backs who were very influential in the Warwickshire side's 6-1 win at Colwyn Bay earlier in the season.
Nuneaton manager Kevin Wilkins dismissed that as "a freak result" and is expecting a much tougher game.
"Colwyn Bay are not a bad side," he says. "We can't look at them and see anything other than a tough game. Solihull gave us one last week (0-0 draw) and they are below Colwyn Bay in the table.
"I am confident we will win, but we've got to make sure we go about it the right way."
They have an injury doubt over skipper Mark Noon (ankle), but Newby is very wary of Nuneaton's dangerous front two of Danny Glover and Telford loanee Andy Brown.
"I rate them very highly, particularly Brown who links things up play so well, and we need to deal with the threat they pose," added Newby.
Nuneaton go into their final home game in strong form. They are unbeaten in their last nine home games with seven wins and two draws, having taken points off fellow top five sides Hyde, Guiseley and Halifax, and they have conceded only one goal in their last four fixtures.
Colwyn Bay: (from) Metcalf, Denson, Lea, Meadowcroft, Sinclair, Hughes, Evans, McKenna, Hopley, Newby, McLachlan, Collins, Noon, Ennis, Davey, Benson, King, McKernan.

WHAT a roller coaster last 10 minutes that was today as Colwyn Bay drew 2-2 with Harrogate Town!
The Seagulls looked as though they had snatched a priceless victory on 81 minutes, only for Harrogate to hit back three minutes later with a second equaliser. Then in the dying minutes the Bay had a Sinclair header cleared off the line, Rob Hopley missed out on two great chances and they were refused a penalty when Luke Denson's shot was blocked by a defenders arm in the goalmouth.
"I thought that was a scandalous decision," said frustrated player-boss Jon Newby afterwards.
"The referee's reasoning afterwards was that the defender had not moved his arm towards the ball, but my reasoning is that his arm was a long way away from his body and the shot has come from a good 10 yards away. How that is not a penalty I will never know."
Newby said his side had played really well, although Harrogate domintaed much of the possession and their manager Simon Weaver certainly felt his side should have taken all three points.
But it was Colwyn Bay who led at half-time after going in front against the run of play on 34 minutes when Newby crossed for Mike Lea to score with a firm header.
Harrogate forced eight corners to just one by Colwyn Bay in that first half, but although their giant defender Richard Pell clipped the crossbar with one header, they didn't really test Andy Metcalf who had a good game on his recall.
Harrogate did equalise, however, from another corner on 61 minutes which Bay had the chance to clear. They made a hash of it and Alex Meecham capitalised by scoring with a crisp shot into the bottom corner of the net from the edge of the area.
The Yorkshire side looked the most likely side to win it after that with Metcalf doing well to save with his foot from Tom Platt, as Colwyn Bay looked very nervy at the back - despite playing three (Meadowcroft, Sinclair and Hughes) in the centre of defence.
Yet with nine minutes left the Bay looked to have snatched it when Frank Sinclair scored with an angled header inside the far post from Luke Denson's free kick.
Their joy, however, lasted only three minutes as they were undone by a long ball from the back and Chib Chilaka muscled his way clear to fire past Metcalf.
In a frantic finale, Sinclair had another header cleared off the line and Rob Hopley missed out on two great chances to win it.
First he got to a headed backpass ahead of Harrogate keeper Mark Cook but his lob over the keeper also cleared the bar. Then Newby teed Hopley up 12 yards out but his shot was blocked by the keeper's legs and Denson's follow up shot was clearly blocked by a defender's arm in the goalmouth.
Anywhere else on the pitch that would have been a free kick. Colwyn Bay have certainly conceded penalties this season for less - but it is typical of the way key decisions seem to be going against them at the moment.
It was shame for Hopley that he couldn't put away one of those two late chances for a winner because he worked tirelessly all afternoon, not only in attack but also coming back to make important clearances in defence from set plays, and he deservedly got the Man of the Match award.
"Yes, Hoppo could have won it for us, but that is the life of strikers, " said Newby. "As one myself I know all about that. Some you score and some you don't, but Hoppo could quite easily be the hero in the next couple of weeks."
At least the point ended the losing run and keeps Colwyn Bay in 14th place and, with two matches left, two points ahead of Vauxhall Motors, who have slipped back into the bottom three after their defeat at Bishop's Stortford.
The other good point is that six of the eight teams who are separated by just three points in the battle to avoid the third relegation spot, have games against each other next Saturday (Harrogate v Solihull, Vauxhall v Corby and Workington v Histon), so at least three of them are certain to drop points.
Overall Newby was pleased with the effort his side put in today.
"I said to the players in the dressing room before the game that if they could come back in afterwards, look me in the eye and say they'd given me everything I would have no complaints, and I thought every single one of them put in a massive, massive shift.
"The only criticism is that we let too many balls bounce at the back late on which led to their second goal, but even then we had chances to win it and didn't take them.
"It is frustrating because when we went in front so late in the game I thought we would hold out - and if we had I reckon we would now be safe. But on the positive side it is a point on the board and if the players give me the same effort over the next two weeks then we won't be far off."
Colwyn Bay: Metcalf, Denson, Lea, Meadowcroft, Sinclair, Hughes, Evans, McKenna, Hopley, Newby, McLachlan. Subs not used: Collins, Noon, Ennis, Davey, Benson.
Attendance: 284.

COLWYN BAY have suffered a major blow ahead of Saturday's crucial home game against fourth-bottom Harrogate Town with Everton loanee keeper Connor Roberts struck down by glandular fever.
Player-boss Jon Newby admits it is the last thing he needed as he prepares for a huge day in which six of the relegation-threatened teams play each other.
With the Seagulls receiving news this week that they have successfully gained their Grade B ground licence (now confirmed in writing) after weeks of hard work upgrading their Red Lion Foods Stadium, the pressure is firmly on the players to secure the points needed from the last three games to retain their Conference North status.
Colwyn Bay, after six successive league defeats, go into Saturday's game as one of seven teams separated by just three points in a desperate battle to avoid the third relegation spot.
"We had a long team meeting on Thursday and the players have been left in no doubt about how massive the last three games are to the club and what is required from them," said Newby.
"It is up to them now to show the desire and commitment needed to get us over the line and prove to everyone that they want to be play in this league again next season.
"Harrogate are in the same boat as us and we have got to match them for effort every inch of the way if we are going to take the points."
Andy Metcalf will come back into goal for 19-year-old Roberts as first choice keeper Chris Sanna is still out of action with a long-standing shoulder injury.
Newby and midfielder Gareth Evans are both set to return after suspension and club skipper Danny Meadowcroft is also likely to be back in central defence after recovering from a pulled hamstring.
There could also be other changes with Newby desperately disappointed with his side's dismal performance at Workington on East Monday.
"We have talked about a number of different formations to deal with how Harrogate may play, but however we decide to set up it will be down to the 11 players on the pitch to give the club everything they'e got - nothing else will do."
Harrogate are unbeaten in their last three games with two draws and an excellent 2-0 away win at Boston - although they were disappointed to be held to 0-0 draw at home by already relegated Blyth Spartans on Easter Monday.
They have also lost skipper Michael Brough for the rest of the season after he was involved in a bad car crash over the Easter weekend.
Colwyn Bay (from): Metcalf, Denson, Lea, Hughes, Madowcroft, Sinclair, McKenna, Evans, McLachlan, Hopley, Newby, Noon, Collins, Ennis, Morton, Davey, Benson, King, McKernan.

THERE was huge relief at Colwyn Bay this week with indications that they have been successful in getting Grade B approval to retain their Conference North status.
Following last week's inspection of the major improvements made at Llanelian Road's Red Lion Foods Stadium, the Conference sent a recommendation to the FA to grant the Grade B licence and it looks as though that has been accepted - although the club still has to get official written confirmation.
Chairman Bob Paton said he was "over the moon" that all the hard work put into the ground had been rewarded and that all the focus now was to get things right on the pitch.
The Seagulls have a huge game at home to fourth-bottom Harrogate on Saturday and are calling on a big turn out of fans at the game to get behind the players and help them secure the points they need.
With four of the other sides scrapping to avoid the third relegation spot playing each other (Corby v Workington and Bishop's Stortford v Vauxhall Motors) Colwyn Bay desperately need to make the most of points that will be dropped in those games.
In other key games Histon will be favourites to beat already relegated Eastwood, while Solihull face play-off chasing Nuneaton and Hinckley travel to Worcester.