Aberystwyth Town took another huge step towards the Uefa Europa League Play-offs with a crucial 3-2 win over Llanelli at Park Avenue on Friday.

A stunning first half strike from Wes Baynes gave the Seasiders the lead, and quick-fire second half goals from Ashley Ruane and Marc Williams seemed to have the hosts cruising before the hour.

Llanelli, who were already relegated after announcing that they would not appeal their Licence refusal, hit back through Lee Bevan and Joe Clarke to set up a thrilling finish - but Aber held on for their fourth consecutive league win.

Kick-off at a chilly and damp Park Avenue was preceded by a minute’s silence to commemorate club stalwart Leighton Wall, who had sadly passed away.

Aber’s unchanged team took the initiative and soon the in-form Geoff Kellaway had flashed a shot wide of goal after being set up by the peerless Marc Williams.

The visitors, however, were showing plenty of promise themselves as Michael George sent an early effort wide, and then home keeper Terry McCormick came out brilliantly to deny stand-in striker Joe Clarke what seemed like a certain goal.

The chances kept coming and Kellaway was ruled offside after converting Mattie Jones’ low ball in, and Williams saw a shot saved by keeper Scott Coughlin.

A Mattie Jones strike then screamed past the post, and he then also saw a free kick tipped over the bar by Coughlin.

The breakthrough arrived on 29 minutes when a superb cross from the left by Jones found Williams, who laid the ball back to Baynes to crash the ball into the net from 20 yards out for the opener.

Steff Edwards attempted a Cantona-esque effort from the edge of the area which dropped wide, before McCormick pulled off another close range save to deny ex-Seasider Clarke at the other end.

Headers from Declan Walker and Williams missed the target for Aber as an entertaining first half ended 1-0 to the hosts.

Aber started the second half on fire, and four minutes in Kellaway delivered a perfect ball in from the left for Ruane to score his second header in two games.

Llanelli sub Emile Ngoy tapped the ball home at the other end after being played in by Tristan Jenkins, but like Kellaway’s effort, it was disallowed for offside.

Worse followed for the visitors on 53 minutes as a simple ball up the park from the hosts was terribly misjudged by Coughlin and Williams nipped in behind to score a third, and surely seal the game.

Ryan Edwards and Jones both curled further efforts wide for Aber, but Llanelli hit back on 63 minutes when Lee Bevan climbed above defender Ryan Wollacott to head home from Joe Hunt’s corner.

Ngoy headed over soon after, and Clarke sent a shot over the bar, and with seven minutes to go the Reds made it 3-2.

A tricky run from Michael George down the right saw the ball fall flicked on by Ngoy for Clarke, who rolled his man and finally got his goal from close range.

Ruane played a great one-two with Marc Williams before firing into the new netting in front of the Dias Stand, but at the other end Chris Jones’ set-piece was headed over by Ngoy, before a crucial three points were in the bag for Aber.

ABERYSTWYTH TOWN: T McCormick, W Baynes, S Edwards, R Wollacott, G Kellaway, P Mendes, M Williams, D Walker, R Edwards (N Coleridge 90 minutes), M Jones, A Ruane. Substitutes not used: A Walters (gk), L Jenkins, H Cottam, J McDaid.

LLANELLI: S Coughlan, M George, J Hunt, L Bevan, L Evans (A Nelson 59’), S Tancock, R Jones (E Ngoy 46’), C Jones,J Dyer (R Khaton 84’), T Jenkins, J Clark. Subs not used: C Thomas, A Hill. Att: 254. Referee: I Griffith.EASTER HOLIDAY FOOTBALL SESSIONSAberystwyth Town Football Club will be hosting Easter Holiday Football Sessions next Monday and Tuesday, 15-16 April, for boys and girls aged 5 to 11, from 10am until 3pm at Park Avenue. The cost is £25 per day, including a hot meal, or £40 per day/ £75 for two days for two siblings. To book a space email [email protected] or phone/text 07970105093.