Caernarfon Town clinched the final spot in the JD Cymru Premier top six following a dramatic final matchday in phase one.
Needing to match or better Haverfordwest County’s result, the Cofis drew 2-2 away at Cardiff Met and the Bluebirds were beaten 3-2 at home by Bala Town.
Adam Davies gave Caernarfon the dream start at Cyncoed with his close range finish in the ninth minute, while Haverfordwest also led against the Lakesiders as Martell Taylor-Crossdale latched onto a rebounded effort to open the scoring just after the half hour mark.
Both sides were winning at half-time, which meant Richard Davies’ side still led the race for sixth place by two points.
But in true JD Cymru Premier fashion, there was a dramatic turn of events as Caernarfon suddenly found themselves trailing. A skilful finish from Emlyn Lewis and a clinical strike from Eliot Evans within three minutes of each other put Met 2-1 up with 17 minutes remaining.
However, the day turned back in Caernarfon’s favour when Josh Ukek equalised for Bala against Haverfordwest just moments before Danny Gosset tapped home the rebound from Sion Bradley’s low driven shot to bring Caernarfon level against Met.
That was enough to earn the Cofis a point, but they had to wait to find out if it was enough as all eyes turned to Ogi Bridge Meadow.
In a crazy stoppage time period, Iwan Roberts edged Bala ahead with what looked to be the deciding goal, but Ben Fawcett’s finish one minute later made it two apiece.
With Haverfordwest throwing everybody forward in search of a last-gasp winner, Bala caught them out on the counter-attack to snatch all three points in remarkable fashion as Luke Wall fired an unstoppable shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the box with 99 minutes on the clock.
It means that Caernarfon will be playing Championship Conference football in phase two, while Haverfordwest will again be aiming to finish seventh to earn a route into the European play-offs.
There was also late drama at the Four Construction Crosses Arena as Pontypridd United claimed a monumental 3-2 victory over Colwyn Bay in a crucial clash between the division’s bottom two.
There were just 12 minutes on the clock when Jordan Knott’s curling effort deflected back off the crossbar and straight into the path of Clayton Green, who headed in the opener for the visitors.
New Bay loanee Harry Owen marked his debut for the club by equalising in the 55th minute, but Luke Cummings grabbed Ponty’s second to restore the advantage shortly after.
Udi Akpan thought he had rescued Bay a point after converting a 93rd-minute penalty, but the Dragons had other ideas as Ethan Vaughan slotted home a last-gasp winner to send the away side into raptures as they close the gap on Bay to just one point and continue their bid for survival.
A remarkable second half performance from Barry Town United saw them move nine points clear of the relegation zone with a 4-2 win away to fellow strugglers Aberystwyth Town.
There were early goals at the beginning of each half as John Owen’s clever second minute strike for Aber was cancelled out by Sam Snaith’s 46th-minute leveller for Barry.
Snaith’s strike sparked the visitors into life with goals from Lucas Tomlinson, Kayne McLaggon and Ollie Hulbert completing a swift turnaround as Barry Town hit four goals for the second successive weekend.
Substitute Jonathan Evans marked his return to Aberystwyth with a cool finish in stoppage time, but the damage was already done as Barry go into phase two following back-to-back wins.
Newtown began life without Chris Hughes with a 3-1 defeat away at The New Saints, who maintained their 15-point lead at the top of the table.
Hughes departed Latham Park in midweek after over a decade in the managerial hotseat, but the Robins put in a spirited display in Oswestry.
Brad Young grabbed his 15th league goal of the season as his deadly finish broke the deadlock in the 37thminute.
Jason Oswell stunned Park Hall by heading home a Newtown equaliser just two minutes into the second half, but Jordan Williams’ deft finish and Declan McManus’ outrageous strike from distance secured a 16th straight league win for the hosts.
A trademark Michael Wilde header gave second-place Connah’s Quay Nomads an important 1-0 victory away to Penybont in their pursuit of European football.
Numerous saves from goalkeepers Archie Matthews and Andy Firth as well as a goal line clearance from John Disney meant this intense battle had to be separated by a moment of magic.
Up stepped Michael Wilde, who latched onto fellow substitute Aron Williams’ delightful cross to power home a fantastic header to find a late breakthrough.
Declan Poole received a red card in stoppage time for two bookable offences, but this didn’t affect the scoreline as The Nomads held on for their fourth consecutive away victory in all competitions.
JD Cymru Premier results
Aberystwyth Town 2-4 Barry Town United
Cardiff Met 2-2 Caernarfon Town
Colwyn Bay 2-3 Pontypridd United
Haverfordwest County 2-3 Bala Town
Penybont 0-1 Connah’s Quay Nomads
The New Saints 3-1 Newtown
