PATCHED-UP Cwmbran ended their miserable run of four successive League of Wales defeats last night to rekindle their fading European hopes with a 2-nil win over Aberystwyth Town..

The victory moved the Gwent outfit up two places to sixth and if they can overcome bottom club Rhayader Town at Cwmbran Stadium on Saturday, they will suddenly have rescued their season.

Manager Tony Willcox's side had already equalled the unwanted 1993-94 record of four consecutive losses and were on course to finish lower than their ninth-place finish two seasons later.

"While it's still mathematically possible, no-one can write off our chances and I thought the lads put in a committed and determined display and deserved the win," said a relieved-looking Willcox.

Willcox sent out a team minus seven regulars and had an eighth, utility man Sean Mainwaring, as a substitute, although injury meant he was unable to enter the action.

Cwmbran gave a full league debut to former Newport County AFC midfielder Ryan Shugar, had two members of the club's academy, Ryan Fahey and Lee O'Connor, on the bench, and such was their predicament that they were forced to name rookie striker Jason Welsh as an emergency central defender.

However, the youngster gave a mature performance well beyond his years to suggest he could be the answer to Cwmbran's problems in that particular position.

He and Richard David managed to nullify the threat of regular goalscorers Gavin Allen and Glyndwr Hughes, although the former should have equalised on 70 minutes. After a poor first half, punctuated only by Allen's 25-yard shot which struck the crossbar, it took Cwmbran just two minutes after the re-start to go ahead.

Striker Rhys Griffiths strode in to the visitors' penalty area and found winger Nathan Cotterrall, who turned his marker before unleashing a shot past goalkeeper Michael Kinsella.

Cwmbran were the better side from that moment, but appeared to have blown it when midfielder Phil James was harshly adjudged to have handled in the penalty area. However, goalkeeper Pat O'Hagan beat out Allen's spot kick with the on-rushing Jon Tappin missing a glorious chance by hitting the rebound over.

It turned out to be a tale of two penalties. After hard-working striker Mark Dunn had been brought down by former Cwmbran player David Burrows, defender John Wile smashed his spot kick past Kinsella to finish off Aberystwyth eight minutes from time.

Cwmbran's success avenged their 3-0 defeat at Aberystwyth 16 days previously, although a strong wind meant a scrappy game full of unforced errors.

But at this stage of the season, Cwmbran aren't too concerned about the quality and now have five matches remaining to secure a fourth-successive European jaunt. Cwmbran Town: P O'Hagan, J Wile, N Smothers, P James,J Welsh, R David, N Wigg (c), R Shugar, R Griffiths (Fahey 86), M Dunn, N Cotterrall. Subs not used: S Mainwaring, L O'Connor. Goals: Cotterrall (47), Wile (82, penalty).

Aberystwyth Town: M Kinsella, D Burrows (c), L Gregson, G Hinnigan, C Hammond, G Lewis, G Hughes, B Morgan, A Wright, G Allen, J Tappin. Subs not used: R Garner, J Foligno. Booked: Lewis (84 dissent).

*PICTURED: Cwmbran's Rhys Griffiths tests keeper Michael Kinsella.