The spectre of relegation from division three (west) of the National League looms large over Tenby United after they slumped to a 13-3 defeat at the hands of fellow basement battlers Tonmawr at Heywood Lane on Saturday.

However, the Seasiders must be wondering just what they have to do to halt the rot, for they made most of the running in this vital clash.

Where the United slipped up was being unable to turn their pressure into points, allowing Tonmawr to get back into the game and steal the three points through a purple patch in the last 10 minutes.

With a grafting pack and a creative back-line, Tenby had the visitors on the ropes for the majority of the game, but were repeatedly thwarted in their efforts to breach the Ton 22 through a combination of stalwart defending, unforced errors and erratic interpassing.

With only two wins in 14 outings, the United were two points adrift of nearest rivals Felinfoel at the foot of the division prior to kick-off and knew that victory was vital to their hopes of avoiding the drop as the Llanelli-based side had games in hand.

As such, they came out with all guns blazing at Heywood Lane, piling on the pressure from the outset.

With Dai Balkwill, back in red and black on permit, bolstering the front row alongside hard-working Richard Rossiter and Lee Tucker, the Seasiders continually attacked the gain line.

Skipper Nicky Allen and back row colleagues Chris Brace and Rob James gave sterling service, closing down the visitors around the contact zone and denying them any forward momentum, while Sion Brace was a revelation in the stand-off berth, putting pressure on the visitors with sniping half breaks which allowed more creativity in the Tenby threes.

With a swirling cross-wind, Tonmawr were unable to relieve the pressure to any great extent, whereas United centre Dean Bowen was able to maintain the Tenby onslaught with his siege-gun boot.

However, frustratingly for them, Tenby, despite good ball retention through several phases and overlaps out wide, were unable to progress further than the visitors' 22, and fell three points behind against the run of play when Ton stand-off Gareth Jenkins banged over a penalty.

Paul Broaders and Peter James gained useful possession at the linesout, despite the disruptive tactics of opposite lock Adrian Turnball, number eight Jamie Costion and sniping scrum-half Daryl Andrews, but the United were unable to breach the Tonmawr defences, leaving the visitors three points ahead at the break.

Tenby served up more of the same after the change around, with controlled phase play seeing the pack attack the gain line around the fringes and midfield duo of Gavin Brace and Bowen probing the midfield.

Fullback Jonathan Dodd was always looking to join the attacking line, while wings Dominic Subbiani and Jamie Candler used their pace to effect, but again the Seasiders, despite making most of the running, were unable to break down the enveloping Tonmawr defence.

Bowen put Tenby on terms going into the final quarter with a well-struck penalty.

Although continuing to dominate, the Seasiders were unable to press home their advantage, and made a couple of questionable choices on at least two occasions, forsaking the kickable penalty to gain attacking linesout in range of the try-line.

It proved costly, for the Seasiders were unable to protect the ball carrier effectively in trying to drive on, allowing Tonmawr to turn over for replacement stand-off Brian Fisher to relieve the pressure.

With time ticking away, Tenby replaced stalwart number eight Chris Brace with Adam Rees, but the tide started to turn against the Seasiders.

Tonmawr gained rare field position in United territory, driving possession on with a series of rolling mauls which put pressure on the home defences in the corner.

Quick phase ball enabled Andrews to squirm through on the blind-side for a try.

Many of the Tenby faithful claimed the hint of more than one knock-on in the build up, but without the benefit of video back-up, referee Mr. Jonathan Mason, of Morriston, was well positioned to call it as he saw it and awarded the touchdown.

Andrews' conversion attempt was snatched off the kicking tee by the wind as he was about to make contact, leaving the visitors five points ahead.

The score saw Tonmawr step up the pressure on Tenby, prop David Ackery bagging another unconverted push-over in similar circumstances with time ticking away which effectively ended the game as a contest.

Tenby refused to let their heads drop, and Sion Brace brought the sparse crowd to their feet when he hacked through, but he was beaten in the kick and chase by Ton fullback Chris Stephens.

Tonmawr closed the United out in the dying stages, confining them between the home 10 and 22 and could have increased their winning margin, but Andrews was off target with a penalty and Stephens saw his drop goal attempt with the last kick of the game hit an upright.

With Felinfoel without a game on Saturday, the United are now two points adrift at the bottom, having played two games more than their nearest rivals, so it looks like they have it all to do in the closing stages of the season.

Tenby United: Jonathan Dodd, Dominic Subbiani, Dean Bowen, Gavin Brace, Jamie Candler, Sion Brace, Oliver Brace, Dai Balkwill, Richard Rossiter, Lee Tucker, Paul Broaders, Peter James, Nicky Allen (capt), Robert James, Chris Brace.