There was nothing to separate Briton Ferry Llansawel and Newtown in a huge clash in the JD Cymru Premier relegation battle on Tuesday night, as the two sides played out a 1-1 draw at The Renewable Centre Stadium.
With the two sides level on points ahead of the game, it was always going to be a tight contest and it remained goalless until midway through the second half.
It was Ferry substitute Rio Dyer who broke the deadlock just six minutes after coming off the bench as he stole the ball off Calvin Smith on the right of the box and fired into the bottom corner for his first goal for the club.
As the clock ticked down it looked as though that would be enough to earn the Reds three vital points, particularly as Newtown had not scored in the final 10 minutes of a game all season, but they broke that streak with four minutes left on the clock as Aaron Williams headed home from Craig Williams’ corner to level the encounter.
The Robins remain in the relegation zone with just four games remaining, with Ferry sitting above them on goal difference only.
The New Saints moved to within touching distance of a fourth consecutive JD Cymru Premier title after a 2-0 home win over Caernarfon Town on Tuesday night.
The Cofis, who won at Park Hall earlier in the season, kept the hosts at bay until first half stoppage time when Phil Mooney turned Ryan Brobbel’s cross into his own net.
It was not until stoppage time in the second half that victory was wrapped up as Rory Holden played a superb through ball to substitute Sion Bradley who finished one-one-one with Ben Hughes to net against his former club.
TNS will secure the title if Penybont drop points against Cardiff Met on Friday night, or if that does not happen the Saints need just a point against the Archers in their next game in 10 days’ time.
Barry Town United scored a stoppage-time winner for the second time in five days as they triumphed 2-1 over Aberystwyth Town at Jenner Park.
Ieuan Owen put Barry in front with just 10 minutes on the clock with his third goal in two games, as he smashed home a loose ball in the box after Aber failed to clear a corner.
The hosts’ continued to dominate proceedings but somehow did not add to their lead, with some poor finishing combined with multiple saves from Dave Jones and last-ditch defending keeping Aber in the game.
The missed opportunities came back to haunt Barry in the 90th minute when the Seasiders found an equaliser through Rico Patterson, who rifled in a sweet first-time strike from the edge of the area which found the net via the underside of the crossbar.
There was more late drama to come though as Barry snatched a winner in the 93rd minute, when substitute Eliot Richards met Owen’s inviting cross with a downward header which hit the post and went in.
Andy Legg’s side remain five points clear at the top of the Play-Off Conference, ahead of Connah’s Quay Nomads who earned a 4-0 win against rivals Flint Town United.
The Silkmen were left wondering how they did not take the lead in the opening 20 minutes as George Ratcliffe made a couple of superb saves to deny Josh Jones either side of Elliott Reeves hitting the post.
It meant that it was against the run of play that the Nomads took the lead in the 22nd minute, when Rhys Hughes produced his latest piece of brilliance by cutting inside from the right wing and sending a delightful lob over Jack Flint from the edge of the area.
The lead was doubled on 38 minutes when Max Woodcock opened his Nomads account by meeting Olly Wright’s delivery with a looping header over Flint, before Ratcliffe pulled off his best save of the night by denying Reeves from point-blank range on the stroke of half-time.
The Nomads were awarded a penalty just nine minutes into the second half when Harry Owen fouled Callum Bratley inside the area, with Hughes stepping up from the spot to score his 13th goal of the season.
A third consecutive league win was wrapped up in the 82nd minute by substitute Sam Durrant, who snatched the ball off Jake Phillips before driving into the box and finishing into the far corner.
JD Cymru Premier midweek results in full:
Barry Town United 2-1 Aberystwyth Town
Briton Ferry Llansawel 1-1 Newtown
Connah’s Quay Nomads 4-0 Flint Town United
The New Saints 2-0 Caernarfon Town
