
Barry Town United edged closer to the Cymru Premier play-offs after a 2-1 win over relegation-threatened Newtown.
Andy Legg's side reopened a five-point lead at the top of the Play Off Conference - with their nearest rivals, Connah's Quay, slipping to a 1-0 defeat against Briton Ferry on Saturday.
It means Barry need just one more point from their last two games of the regular season to secure a play-off spot.
Barry named three changes following last weekend's stumbling defeat at Flint - with Callum Sainty, Eliot Richards and Ellis Williams all starting, while Aiden Lewis dropped to the bench and Josh Yorwerth and Ben Margetson missed out altogether.
Under the Friday night lights for the final time this season, top scorer Ollie Hulbert put Barry ahead on 18 minutes with a powerful header from Owen Cuddihy's excellent cross that will count as among the pick of the striker's 13 league goals this season.
Croesiad Cuddihy yn berffaith i lwybr Hulbert sy'n sgorio gyda'i ben i roi'r Barri ar y blaen 🟡
— Sgorio ⚽️ (@sgorio) March 28, 2025
A pinpoint cross from Cuddihy finds Hulbert, who heads @BarryTownUnited in front!
📺 https://t.co/PFVh57m7F7 pic.twitter.com/mkvZUERxy4
The Robins - whose 33-year stay in the Welsh top flight is at risk - saw their best chance of the first half from Aaron Williams blocked with ease.
Perhaps the story of their season was summed up in the 57th minute when James Rainbird unwittingly poked the ball home at the near post from Cuddihy's cross to double Barry's lead.
James Rainbird yn gwyro'r bêl i'w rwyd ei hun!
— Sgorio ⚽️ (@sgorio) March 28, 2025
An own goal from Rainbird gives @BarryTownUnited a 2-0 lead over Newtown!
📺 https://t.co/PFVh57m7F7 pic.twitter.com/yb9dm1ImI0
Barry remained dominant for the most part - with captain Kayne McLaggon only denied from adding a third by George Hughes' clearance off the line.
But the hosts did let their guard drop a little in the closing stages, allowing Newtown to respond in the 89th minute as Aaron Williams pounced from the edge of the box - a goal which did little to temper Newtown boss Callum McKenzie's bitter disappointment after the final whistle.
But Barry retain the upper hand in the chase for a potential route to Europe with all thoughts turning to possibly their most important game of the season so far - a potential decider away at the Nomads' ground in Flint on Sunday 13th April.
JD Cymru Premier
Play Off Conference
Aberystwyth Town 1-2 Flint Town United
Barry Town United 2-1 Newtown
Briton Ferry Llansawel 1-0 Connah's Quay Nomads (Saturday)
Championship Conference
Bala Town 0-0 Cardiff Met (Saturday)
Haverfordwest County 1-1 Caernarfon Town (Saturday)
Penybont 1-0 The New Saints (Saturday)