Manager Tony Pennock was left frustrated at another disappointing afternoon on the road, as 10-man Haverfordwest County slipped to a 2-1 defeat to Pontypridd United.

The Bluebirds took the lead through Jazz Richards, but the Dragons responded with goals from Jarrad Wright and former Town midfielder Kieran Lewis, after defender Oscar Borg had been shown a straight red card early in the second half.

“We haven’t got anything away from home all season have we,” began Pennock. “It’s something we’ve talked about, trying in this Phase to turn those defeats into draws away from home and get something. You start with a point, go home with a point”

The first half was positive enough for County, with Richards’ header finding the net to give the visitors a reward for attacking intent early on.

However, the Bluebirds will have been disappointed with the nature of the hosts’ equaliser, with Wright finding himself unmarked inside the area to head home from a corner.

The game then turned on its head four minutes after the restart when Borg was given his marching orders for bringing down Ben Ahmun just outside the area, with the striker ready to run through on goal.

“I know it’s easy to say that if we had 11 men it would have been a different result, but we don’t know that,” said Pennock. “It’s just something that we’ve struggled with all season, and it’s something that we have to improve on.”

Next up for the Bluebirds is a trip to Park Avenue to face Aberystwyth Town on Saturday, March 11, and the boss is under no illusions of how difficult a challenge it will be for his side.

“Every game is huge in this Phase, every game. You saw the results last night.

“Our next game is at Aberystwyth. We know how tough that’s going to be, and we have to get ourselves ready for that one.”