A 3-1 home defeat at the hands of Welsh League Division Three leaders Llanwern left Newcastle Emlyn in the relegation zone.

The visitors started at a frenetic pace and were three goals ahead after the opening 18 minutes. Striker John Lilligreen fired them ahead, winger Mathew Hibbs doubled the advantage and midfielder Nick Hooper hit the third goal.

After Llanwern had central defender Ben Luck sent off for a second yellow card the homesters pulled a goal back in the final eight minutes but it was a case of too little and too late.

On Saturday the Reds host joint tenth in the table Treharris Athletic Western who are eight points ahead of Emlyn. It finished 1-1 when the rivals met in Treharris on the Saturday before Christmas and another closely-fought contest could be on the cards.

Although three clubs are relegated and drop out of senior football at the end of the season it is understood that only one will fall through the trapdoor this term as no clubs will be promoted from the Gwent and West Wales FA’s because of facilities not meeting Welsh League criteria.