TNS failed to halt the Barry bandwagon despite Ken McKenna's late strike inspiring a tense finale in a hard-fought League of Wales encounter.
Two goals from prolific marksman Eifion Williams, his first as early as the second minute, were enough to give the defending champions the points, but the Saints had enough possession to have gained some reward.
But they were always chasing the game after being caught cold in the second minute when Danny Carter's long pass released Mark Dempsey on the left, the ex-Shrewsbury Town midfielder cut in before unselfishly squaring for Williams to slide the ball in from five yards.
Damien Currier went close to an instant reply when he met McKenna's right wing cross on the volley but the ball flew straight to keeper Dave Wells.
And on 18 minutes, the hosts squandered a golden chance when a well worked free kick from Darren Ryan was played to McKenna who escaped the defensive shackles only to blaze his effort wide. Barry struggled to find any real pattern in an often frantic affair, being pushed out of their stride by some committed tackling from the hosts.
Gary Powell saw a headed effort saved by Wells from a Ryan cross while the keeper was also relieved to clutch onto McKenna's headed effort on the stroke of half time. The encounter continued in similar manner after the break, Ricky Evans and Garry Evans both firing high and wide before the Saints were crucially caught for the second time in the game.
Barry had rarely threatened when suddenly Gary Lloyd planted a long diagonal pass from the left over the defence in the 65th minute, Williams ran through and coolly lobbed stranded keeper Andy Mulliner from the edge of his box. But TNS refused to lie down, throwing more caution to the wind in a desperate bid to rescue the game.
Ryan went close to an immediate reply when he turned on the right edge of the box before curling his shot agonisingly wide of the far post. At the other end, Dempsey went close to sealing victory in the 73rd minute when he crashed a rising 25 yard shot against the left angle of the bar following a strong run.
But the Saints were back in the game seven minutes later when McKenna pounced to steer the ball inside the right post for his first ever goal against Barry after Neil Marsh had headed into his path.
The hosts continued to push in a tense finish, Rob Morris firing one effort wide but the full timers managed to survive a couple of goalmouth scares to return to the top of the league, and who'd bet against them being there at the end of the season.
TNS were facing a vital four days in two cup competitions this week, both against potentially tricky opponents. Andy Cale's
men travelled to Connah's Quay Nomads last night ( Tuesday) for their first round replay in the Gilbert League Cup after sharing a
1-1 draw in the first meeting three weeks ago. And this will be followed by a vital Welsh Cup second round clash at home to
currently unbeaten Aberystwyth Town on Friday night.
Links to other sites on the Web
Barry Town homepage
'What the Papers Say'
T.N.S website
This page edited by the Yellow Dragon, 1998.
Match report first printed in the Border Counties Advertiser, 14.10.1998.
Report of Total Network Solutions v Barry Town, League of Wales 10.10.1998
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