Kayne McLaggon netted the only goal of the game as Barry Town handed The New Saints their first home defeat of season to seal a shock victory at Park Hall.
The result leaves the top of the JD Welsh Premier League wide open with only goal difference separating The New Saints and Connah’s Quay, and Cardiff Met, who trial a point behind in third.
Connah’s Quay, 2-1 winner’s against Prestatyn on Friday night, withstood late pressure after the Seasiders pulled a goal back to set up a tense finish.
Elliot Evans claimed a brace as Cardiff Met thumped Carmarthen 5-0 to add to Mark Aizlewood’s worries.
A decisive break in the second-half saw McLaggon snap a four-game winless run for the newly promoted Dragons.
The New Saints had Greg Draper’s strike chalked off in the opening exchanges whilst Connall Rawlinson headed against the post.
Barry Town goalkeeper Mike Lewis would deny young defender Ryan Leak as the score remained goalless going into the break.
After Draper and Alex Darlington threatened to put the champions in front, Barry Town dealt a swiftly executed sucker-punch on 51-minutes as McLaggon bagged his seventh WPL goal of the season.
The New Saints were frustrated in their attempts to restore parity and Barry held firm when a late corner caused chaos in the area as the hosts ramped up the pressure.
Gavin Chesterfield’s side remained resolute with the Saints unable to find the breakthrough even with five-minutes added time to claim a famous win.
The New Saints FC 0
Barry Town United 1 Kayne McLaggon 51′
The New Saints FC
1. Paul Harrison, 3. Chris Marriott, 5. Connell Rawlinson, 6. Jon Routledge, 7. Christian Seargeant (18. Tom Holland 52′), 8.
Ryan Brobbel, 9. Greg Draper, 11. Robbie Parry (14. Jamie Mullan 79′), 17. Ryan Leak, 20. Alex Darlington (10. Wes Fletcher
67′), 23. Aeron Edwards
Subs not used: 13. Aaron Jones (gk), 16. Callum Roberts, 19. Ben Clark
Red Cards: None
Yellow Cards: Rawlinson 14′ Seargeant 45′ Holland 58′
Barry Town United
1. Mike Lewis, 2. Paul Morgan, 4. Luke Cooper, 22. Ryan Evans, 3. Chris Hugh, 8. Troy Greening, 14. Callum Sainty, 15.
Louis Gerrard (6. James Saddler 66′), 21. Macauley Southam, 10. Jordan Cotterill (5. Curtis Watkins 79′), 7. Kayne Mclaggon
(16. Samuel Jones 85′)
Subs not used: 26. Lewis Cosslett, 12. Joe Massaro (gk)
Red Cards: None
Yellow Cards: Cotterill 77′
Attendance: 297 Referee: Tom Williams
MD 12 results:
Aberystwyth 1-0 Cefn Druids, Connah’s Quay 2-1 Prestatyn, Bala Town 2-1 Llandudno, Cardiff Met 5-0 Carmarthen, Newtown 1-2 Bangor City, The New Saints 0-1 Barry Town.
