DESPITE a stirring second-half comeback, ten-man Barry Town were knocked out of the Welsh Cup on Saturday, after falling 4-2 to Aberdare in extra-time.

A former Barry duo helped the hosts to a commanding lead at Aberaman Park, with Rob Blatchford lobbing goalkeeper Dan Bradley in the early stages and Jamie Bradford firing home after the break.

Nevertheless, the visitors’ endeavour would eventually be rewarded; defender Lewis Cosslett heading home from an excellent corner to set up an exciting finale.

Barry’s comeback hopes were dealt a considerable setback minutes later, when full-back Geraint Frowen was dismissed for dissent by referee Teifion Cook.

However, the Town would refuse to collapse and were back on terms with five minutes remaining; Ryan Evans’s spotkick proving too hot for impressive goalkeeper Ellis Nash to handle.

Despite their man disadvantage, Barry (in traditional green) looked more likely to snatch a late victory; their momentum bolstered by the energy of Troy Greening, Rhys James and Curtis Hutson.

Unfortunately for Gavin Chesterfield’s side, a further thirty minutes of extra-time proved to be their undoing, with Bradford and Blatchford both re-emerging to haunt their former boss.

After Bradford swung the pendulum back into Aberdare’s favour with an emphatic hit, Blatchford popped up to seal their progress with a sensational strike from distance in the 108th minute.

It was a drive so impressive that Blatchford earned a standing ovation from the Barry supporters, who had travelled in their numbers for Saturday’s Welsh Cup showdown.

Much like last season’s exit at Cefn Druids, clinical finishing and a couple of costly errors proved the difference; though the Town’s endeavour and attractive approach remained commendable throughout.

Typifying the performance was in-form Dale Howarth; benefitting from an extended run in the starting line-up, the winger’s work-rate was exceptional.

Played in good spirits, this physical clash was regretfully not without its casualties, as Paul Morgan, Lee Baldock and James Dixon each brought knocks home with them to Barry.

Meanwhile, the luckless TJ Nagi (making his first start in 11 months) was later hospitalised with an arm injury that left the forward in plaster.

Joining Nagi at the hospital on Saturday evening, Chesterfield will be hopeful the likes of Howarth, Greening, Hutson and James can fill the goalscoring void, as the Town head back into Welsh League Division Two action.

This Saturday (2.30pm), Barry returns to the Cynon Valley to tackle AFC Llwydcoed, who were 3-2 winners at Jenner Park in September 2013.

Their next home match meanwhile will be on Tuesday, October 21, when Caldicot Town travel to Barry (7.45pm); with Chepstow Town the subsequent visitors on Saturday, November 2.

Barry: Bradley, Baldock, Frowen, Cosslett, Evans, Baldock, Morgan, Dorrian, Saddler, Howarth, Nagi, Dixon. Subs used: Greening, James, Hutson.