BARRY Town United and Bangor City renewed their classic JD Welsh Premier League rivalry at the weekend, with Kayne McLaggon’s penalty drawing the home side level in a compelling 1-1 draw.

The showdown at Jenner Park was one of only two games that survived Saturday’s snow and will be remembered for a strong second-half display from the Town that bodes well for the weeks ahead.

Backed by their band of travelling supporters, who played their part in a sparkling atmosphere, Bangor arrived in good form; Kevin Nicholson’s Citizens having won each of their last five fixtures, including a magnificent 5-0 mauling of Bala Town in the JD Welsh Premier League a fortnight earlier.

In stark contrast, Barry came into this Matchday 16 encounter licking their wounds in the wake of three successive defeats on the road, although Gavin Chesterfield’s eighth-placed squad did have the psychological advantage of having recorded a stunning 1-0 win at Nantporth in September.

Attacking the Gladstone Road end, the first opportunity of note went Barry’s way, with defender Luke Cooper rising to connect with Chris Hugh’s left-footed corner, only for Bangor City goalkeeper Matthew Hall to pull out a good save, with Town striker Kayne McLaggon breathing down his neck.

Midfielder Callum Sainty soon attempted to follow up and while the Citizens managed to hook the ball clear of the danger zone, it was gathered by an inspired Jordan Cotterill, who quickly controlled and turned youngster George Harry inside out, before side-footing his effort over Hall’s crossbar.

As would be expected, the former English Premier League forward Gary Taylor-Fletcher filled an important role for the visitors, the veteran demonstrating his class in and around the final third.

After setting up a teammate to blast into the side netting, the ex-Blackpool goalscorer and play-off final scourge of Cardiff City would create an effort for himself, forcing a save out of goalkeeper Joe Massaro, who was making his first JD Welsh Premier League star in place of the injured Mike Lewis.

Continuing to supply his teammates with quality passes, Taylor-Fletcher’s intelligent ball to Anthony Miley would lead to a spurned final effort, but the next one, played through to former Blackburn Rovers striker Dean Rittenburg, would trigger the Bangor breakthrough, with 27 minutes played.

Notching against Newtown, Aberystwyth, Connah’s Quay and Bala, Rittenburg had been named the JD Welsh Premier League’s Player of the Month for November ahead of Saturday’s outing and the forward’s run continued as he outfoxed Chris Hugh and slotted past Massaro to break the deadlock.

Despite the cold temperatures, Bangor’s opener was warmly received by their travelling supporters, who had braved the adverse weather conditions to set up camp in the Jenner Park grandstand.

Having failed to claim a point from a trailing position this season, Barry’s ability to turn things around might been drawn in question, as the North Walians took their one-goal advantage into the interval.

However, the Town would deliver a pitch-perfect response, putting in a stirring second-half shift and taking the contest to a Bangor team now on the back foot, as 500 or so home fans roared them on.

Controlling with his chest at the edge of the penalty area, a looper from Cooper forced Hall into action, with the leaping Citizens goalkeeper tipping over his bar to deny the Town’s centre-back.

Then, around the hour mark, a superlative ball over the top from Sainty offered Fahiya the chance to run on goal, only for Tom Kennedy to get to grips with his shirt, sending Fahiya falling to the ground.

With referee Tom Owen awarding a penalty kick, McLaggon stepped up to the spot and the Town’s #7 coolly converted to score his ninth JD Welsh Premier League goal and, crucially, the big equaliser.

Inspired by the impressive Cotterill, who was enjoying his finest performance of the season, Barry then pressed for a second, with nimble Hugh surging forward and lifting a deft delivery to McLaggon.

While the striker would miss the target this time, supporters were encouraged by the Town’s play and though substitute Brayden Shaw would have a crack from distance, the crack visitors found themselves unable to snatch the breakaway winner that would have lifted them as high as second.

Instead, it was almost the home team who took all three points; Fahiya finding himself in possession inside the Bangor area, only for his left-footed shot on goal to be blocked by a desperate defender.

While the visitors introduced Australian striker James Demetriou as a final roll of the dice, it was too little, too late for a Citizens side who had to be content with a point and their first draw of 2017-18.

Barry meanwhile will be happy to have stopped the rot of defeats, boosting their total over Bangor to four points for the season, ahead of Friday’s visit to bottom-placed Carmarthen Town (7.30pm).

In his post-match comments, manager Chesterfield hailed Cotterill as a mercurial presence, with fans now hoping the former Ely Rangers standout can continue to shine at Richmond Park on Friday.

Next up at Jenner Park will be tenth-placed Prestatyn Town, with Neil Gibson’s former Welsh Cup winners making what will be their first-ever visit to Barry on Saturday 23rd December (2.30pm).

From there, attention switches to the Boxing Day derby, as the Town host high-flying Cardiff Met (2.30pm), before the reverse fixture at Cyncoed Stadium rounds off a memorable calendar year.

At the time of writing, Barry’s current haul of 18 points sees them three clear of Newtown, Prestatyn and Aberystwyth and five points adrift of Bala, who occupy the final place inside the league’s top six.