Barry Town United lost ground on their bid for a play-off spot following a 3-2 defeat at Flint in the Cymru Premier.
Andy Legg's side are now just two points clear at the top of the Play Off Conference with three games of the regular season to go.
It's been a difficult week for Barry, whose vice-captain Evan Press was jailed for two-and-a-half years for drug dealing, without the club's prior knowledge.
But beyond the shock of losing one of their key players, Barry needed to return to on-the-pitch matters quickly with an potential end-of-season route to the UEFA Conference League still in sight.
Legg opted for just one change from their home win over Aberystwyth with Josh Yorwerth returning to the starting line-up, while Will Richards took over the captaincy.
In-form Ieuan Owen gave Barry the perfect start on Deeside after just seven minutes from an Owen Cuddihy corner, which the young striker nodded in at close range for his fourth goal from three league games.
But the Silkmen drew level ten minutes later with a stunning 22 yard volley from Ben Hughes which gave away keeper Liam Armstrong no chance.
Flint went ahead just before half time when a long ball from Harry Owen somehow managed to evade Yorwerth, allowing Elliot Reeves to bundle home past Armstrong into an empty net.
The hosts had a goal chalked off for offside after an error from Armstrong while Reeves came close to adding a second as Barry felt the pressure.
Yet the visitors restored parity in the 81st minute when a Robbie Willmott corner was met by a bullet header from sub Kayne McLaggon straight past home keeper Jack Flint.
But when it seemed Barry would leave with a share of the spoils, Ryan Kavanagh's late foul on Sidi Sanango Fofana gifted an 89th minute penalty, duly converted by Josh Jones to earn Flint their seventh straight win at home.
With Connah's Quay beating Newtown 3-2 on Friday night, the race for a play-off spot looks poised to go right to the wire - with Barry at home to the relegation-threatened Robins next Friday, before a potential decider away at the Nomads on Sunday 13th April.
JD Cymru Premier
Play Off Conference
Aberystwyth Town 0-1 Briton Ferry Llansawel (Friday) - Aberystwyth Town are relegated
Flint Town United 3-2 Barry Town United
Newtown 2-3 Connah's Quay Nomads (Friday)
Championship Conference
Caernarfon Town 5-0 Bala Town (Friday)
Cardiff Met 0-6 The New Saints
Haverfordwest County 1-2 Penybont (Friday)
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