Although holding their own in the first half and having the better chances they were outfought in the second half by the rampant Robins.
The goal came in the first minute of the second period and Barry had to defend in numbers, changing the system from a first half attacking formation into defending in numbers.
Andy Dibble in his second Premier Cup game, made a couple of vital saves to deny the eager Wrexham strikers, but Barry could have easily scored in the first half with Eifion Williams going close on a couple of occasions.
Wrexham's manager, Brian Flynn, did Barry the honour of playing his strongest team against the League of Wales champions, recognising that Gary Barnett's team are not there to be rolled over. Beating Swansea and Wrexham so far has brought much acclaim to Barry.
The dangerous Karl Connolly had an early chance for Wrexham, robbing Andrew York he fired over the bar.
When Barry attacked they won several corners, the first when Williams sent a through ball to Terry Evans on the right and he superbly crossed to the waiting Mark Dempsey, but Ridler headed out for a corner.
Danny Carter on a superb run, beat his marker and his great cross caught Williams out, when in a good position, with only the goalkeeper to beat, he could not make contact with his head. The talented striker almost made amends with a superb angled strike which had the goalkeeper floundering, but the ball skimmed the crossbar.
A corner to Wrexham and Dibble was equal to Brammer's shot from the edge of the box. Back came Barry and Carter, with a deep cross, was put behind by the defence and yet another corner when an Evans difficult cross brought a one-handed save from Cartwright.
Neil Roberts hit wide from a Cooke cross and the last chances of the half were over and it was 0-0 at half-time.
The second half started badly for Barry, when Russell burst down the left and cut into the box and placed the ball past Dibble's left hand into the corner.
It was almost 2-0 when Paul Mitchell failed to clear and let in Connolly, but the striker's shot was well-saved by Dibble.
The game turned around with a determined Wrexham performance closing Barry down and attacking the ball whenever they were in possession. Cooke and Ward had shots on target but Wrexham pressure was not increasing the scoreline.
Williams had a rare second half shot, hitting over with a 30-yard shot, but Barry's man of the match was Dibble as once again the goalkeeper got down to save from Connolly.
When Dempsey tried a speculative shot, which tested Cartwright, the ball dropped just over the far upright and Barry's last chance was gone.
So a rare defeat for the champions, but, to be fair, Wrexham played superbly in the second half and Barry looked a little jaded, since this was their 21st competitive game, friendlies apart.
To Barry's credit, Russell's goal was the first goal they had conceded since Tony Bird scored his last minute equaliser for Swansea six weeks previously.
With Wrexham playing Swansea on Tuesday in their final game of the group, Barry will know how many points they will need in their final two games against Caernarfon. The first is next Wednesday away, and will be a tough game, for the champions need a win to catch up with the two Nationwide clubs.
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This page edited by the Yellow Dragon, 1998.
This report first published in the Barry and District News, 26.11.1998.
Match report of Wrexham - Barry Town, F.A.W Premier Cup Group B, 23.11.1998.
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