BARRY had to settle for a point as the mid-Wales strugglers played their hearts out to contain the full-time professionals.
They will be glad of a precious point in their struggle for League of Wales survival and Barry will see it as two points lost as they seek to increase their lead over their rivals.
As it was, only Inter Cable won with Cwmbran and Aberystwyth suffering defeats.
David Wells, Barry's Northern Ireland under-21s goalkeeper had only one save of any significance to make, while his counterpart, Michael Barton, was in action all afternoon.
Two breathtaking saves from Chris Pridham with a fierce drive and a downward header from Eifion Williams, probably made the difference between the two sides.
Barry had Justin Perry sent off in the 22nd minute which is their first red card of the season, and will send them crashing down the Fair Play table, which they have led from the start of the season.
Perry was penalised for a two-footed tackle on John Morris in which he won the ball, but left the latter needing treatment. Perry was aggreived about the sending-off, feeling that he was harshly treated, but referee Gillham of Holywell, was in no doubt and off went Perry for an early bath.
Gary Barnett will be disappointed with this result, though he never stopped running all afternoon, but he received a yellow card for the second week in succession.
It was in the opening minutes that Wells made a save from a shot by Rick O'Shea, off a defender. Barton at the other end tipped over a fierce drive from Pridham, deputising for the injured Richard Jones.
Barry continued to fire in shots which were blocked by a packed defence and somehow they held firm.
After Perry's dismissal, Williams was denied by Barton from close range, and even had a second bite from the rebound, but again the goalkeeper smothered the attempt.
It was Mark Dempsey with a great cross who gave Williams a deflected header which was heading for the bottom corner, but Barton again was the hero with a smart diving save.
An enthralling second half was a credit to the players on a muddy uneven surface, as Barry strived to move the ball forward, and Rhayader battled to stop Barry getting space to play.
Terry Evans and Danny Carter came on in the second half, but even their expertise could not break the home side down, although Evans hit the bar with a long range shot.
Williams had his last chance, chipping the goalkeeper but finding the side netting and that was it, not to be Barry's day.
Tired but happy home players and supporters, but the Barry contingent contemplated what might have been, if they had not lost Perry so early on.
It's Welsh Cup action this Saturday as Barry meet Connah's Quay for a place in the last eight. Connah's Quay defeated Barry last season in the semi-final so revenge would be sweet.
It has been confirmed that in the Gilbert League Cup, Barry will be at home to Inter Cable, by virtue of a draw made by the Welsh FA. Caernarfon are at home to Bangor. No date has yet been announced for these semi-final matches.
August started with two emphatic opening wins. The first came with the season's opener at the Cwmbran Stadium with a 4-0 hammering of Cwmbran Town. Eifion Williams scoring twice to kick-off what is turning out to be an eventful season for him.
In September came a disappointing 1-1 draw against Conwy at Jenner Park. Barry were now well placed to mount a challenge on the leaders at the time, Connah's Quay, who had picked maximum points from their league openers.
Then came the Dragon's first defeat of the campaign to complete what had been a scrappy start to the season, 2-0 at home to Afan Lido.
The Nomads of Connah's Quay were the first team to be steamrollered as Barry kicked off a run of 10 straight wins, scoring a 2-0 victory and starting a sequence of a phenomenal 36 goals in 10 league games.
Caernarfon were the next visitors to Jenner Park, and they went the same way as the Nomads, losing out 3-0. As Barry traveled to Caersws, team spirit was on a high and this showed when they picked up a convincing 4-2 away win at the Recreation Ground.
Into October, and they took the scalp of Rhayader Town, who crumbled under immense pressure at Jenner Park to lose out 7-1.
Then came the visit of local neighbours, TNS, who fell by the wayside by two goals to one. As the side picked up momentum, Bangor fell 3-0, followed by the drubbings in November of Holywell (4-0) and the demolition of northern seasiders Rhyl, 6-0.
Haverfordwest County came to Jenner Park as Barry churned out the inevitable result, a 2-0 scoreline in Barry's favour.
As Christmas was fast approaching, Barry lost their Christmas cheer as they fell 2-1 to Carmarthen. Then came the cancellation of their next three games giving them a break until January 9, when they picked up a 3-1 victory over Conwy United.
Connah's Quay were then unlucky not to pick up a win over the Vale's finest, with a 1-0 win going the way of Barry. Caernarfon were then hammered by the Town 4-0. Caersws scored another two against Barry, against Barry's five.
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This page edited by the Yellow Dragon, 1999.
This article first published in the Barry & District News, 11.02.1999.
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