A SINGLE strike on the stroke of half time saw Llandudno return to the top of the JD Welsh Premier League on Saturday, the Seasiders squeezing by battling Barry Town United in a competitive affair at the Giant Hospitality Stadium.

Coming in for the injured Ryan Newman, midfielder Callum Sainty enjoyed Barry's best chance of the first half, the towering teenager firing a long distance effort tantalisingly close after Llandudno goalkeeper Dave Roberts had been caught off his line.

It was the hosts however who struck first blood. Former Wrexham defender Mike Williams put the hosts in front, unleashing a strike on the turn to beat Mike Lewis in the Barry net.

With the official soon sounding his half-time whistle, it was a crushing moment for Barry to concede; the South Walians having covered a ton of ground to contain their unbeaten opponents.

Nevertheless, the second period saw the visitors come out swinging in pursuit of that coveted equaliser, and they very nearly got it.

In the midst of a number of waves of attack, Sainty looked to have brought Barry level only for Roberts to tip his close range effort onto the crossbar, before teammate Danny Taylor made the crucial clearance.

With the double introduction of Drew Fahiya and Louis Gerrard adding new zeal to their fightback, Barry would rack up corner after corner, yet would find themselves unable to carve out another clear-cut chance.

As fellow replacement and debutant Macaulay Southam cut a frustrated figure, Roberts and his defensive unit did well to snuff out a number of crosses to keep their slender lead intact, as they clung on to a 1-0 win.

All though is not lost for the Town, who will look to recover in the best way possible against Carmarthen at Jenner Park this Thursday, September 21.

With the likes of Paul Morgan, Chris Hugh and others impressing in North Wales, Barry will be targeting a second straight home victory, against an Old Gold side buoyed by their remarkable 4-0 win at Bala on Saturday afternoon.

Kick-off is at 7.45pm. Tickets are priced at £7 (adults), £5 (senior citizens/students) and £3 (children).