The New Saints manager Scott Ruscoe was said he was disappointed with referee David Morgan after a late Barry Town equaliser forced his team to settle for a point.
Jonathon Hood curled in a free-kick six minutes into added time as Barry Town completed a two-goal comeback to draw 2-2 their title rivals.
Kayne McLaggon’s controversial first-half penalty halved The New Saints’ lead after the hosts had started strongly.
A win would’ve put The New Saints back top of the WPL but they remain second a point behind Connah’s Quay. Barry Town remain third, three points behind the leaders.
The New Saints were forced to play the final 17 minutes with 10 men after Tom Holland picked up a second yellow card for a challenge on Paul Morgan.
“Yes, it’s a foul but I don’t think it was a yellow card. We dropped two points but overall, I thought we were very good,” said Ruscoe.
“The decisions have killed us, I don’t like to go about referees and officials, but those decisions have affected us.”
The defending champions led after only 45 seconds when Kurtis Byrnes send precise lob over Barry Town keeper Mike Lewis.
The New Saints went on to dominate the early proceedings and an inviting delivery from Danny Redmond was turned in Jamie Mullen as they doubled their advantage.
Barry Town were allowed back into the game when left-back Marriot was adjudged to have handled the ball by the assistant referee, after he had appeared to have been pushed in the back.
“I feel really disappointed after the game, it’s one of them where the ref just wanted to keep playing and playing – decisions haven’t gone for us today. It wasn’t a penalty, they’ve got a penalty out of a game which they weren’t even in,” rued Ruscoe.
A lower tempo second period ensued, and Mike Lewis did well to deny Blaine Hudson’s header to prevent The New Saints from extending their lead.
And the game developed into a cagey affair once Saints were reduced to 10-men, with Hood stepping up and despatching his free-kick with aplomb in the closing stages.
Home wins for Newtown and Cardiff Met
Newtown climbed up to fourth in the table after Alex Fletcher secured the Robins a 3-2 win against Caernarfon Town at Latham Park.
After Caernarfon’s Sion Bradley had cancelled out Craig Williams’ first-half opener, Darren Thomas put the visitors in front on the hour mark.
The Robins struck immediately as Rio Ahmadi fired them back on level terms before Fletcher restored Newtown’s lead seven minutes from time.
Cardiff Met strengthened their grip on seventh-placed thanks to a brace from Adam Roscrow against bottom side Llandudno.
Christian Edwards’ side moved five points clear of nearest side Aberystwyth as they set their sights on another play-off run.
Striker Roscrow grabbed his second of the afternoon with five minutes remaining to complete a comprehensive win for the Students. Harry Owen was also on target.
