By Matthew Burgess
Momodou Touray scored the goal that reminded The New Saints they look like having a proper Welsh Premier League title challenge on their hands.
Touray – Barry’s 19-year-old Gambia-born striker – was responsible for the only goal of them game as his side won 1-0 away at Bala Town on Saturday.
Not only did the strike end Bala’s 100 per cent home record this season, but it meant The New Saints’ lead at the top is now just a single point from two clubs.
Barry remain third and move level on points with second-place Connah’s Quay following the Nomads’ goalless draw at Caernarfon on Friday night.
The New Saints were also forced to settle for a point against Newtown.
Barry were rewarded for their positive start when Wales-U21 international Touray fired them in front in the seventh-minute.
Bala looked out-of-sorts for much of the game against a confident and well-organised Barry outfit.
Struggling for opportunities, the hosts were eventually given the perfect opportunity to restore parity, but Chris Venables uncharacteristically blazed over from the penalty spot, capping off a frustrating afternoon for the Lakesiders.
Greg Draper scores from the penalty spot to level the score at Latham Park yesterday.
The goal was the New Zealand International’s 11th of the season so far in the JD Welsh Premier League.
Credit: Phil Blagg. pic.twitter.com/B56fm2Bh4S— The New Saints FC (@tnsfc) October 28, 2018
Leading scorer Greg Draper netted his 11th goal of the season in controversial fashion as The New Saints fought back in a 1-1 draw Newtown.
The New Saints marksman converted a penalty with 15 minutes remaining after Keiran Mills-Evans was adjudged to have fouled the New Zealander just inside the area.
In-form Newtown led from the 10th minute when Nick Rushton threaded a pass through for Ethan Jones to slip the ball past Paul Harrison.
“Whether it was inside the box looked marginal, but I think it was a foul and Greg tucked it away nicely,” said Saints boss Scott Ruscoe.
“We haven’t done enough in the final third creative-wise – we’ve kept the ball and moved it around, but we’ve been really frustrated today.”
Cardiff Met will regain their place in the top-six with a win over Carmarthen on Sunday (2.30).
Aberystwyth leapfrogged the Students on Friday night when Geoff Kellaway sealed a 3-1 win over Llanelli. Llandudno and Cefn Druids finished goalless.