BARRY Town United's long unbeaten streak came to an end on Saturday; but the Jenner Park club remain in a strong position to secure a second successive league title.

The Welsh League Division Two meeting with Undy Athletic was always pinpointed as one of the campaign's tougher tests, with the visitors having held Barry to a 2-2 draw in January, after taking Town to extra-time in the 2013-14 Welsh Cup.

However, few of the crowd of 135, opting against an afternoon of Six Nations rugby, could have foreseen the series of events that led to the Town's first league defeat since April 2014.

With traffic problems delaying kick-off and Barry manager Gavin Chesterfield stuck at the wrong end of the M4 following midweek international duties, captain James Saddler, on his 150th Barry start, skippered a starting XI without experienced campaigners Jamie Bradford, Tom Billing and Bobby Briers and effective youngster Paul Morgan.

Nonetheless, fresh-faced Theo Richards slotted fairly comfortably into the Town back-four, partnering fellow Barry boys Lewis Cosslett and Ryan Evans, as well as long-serving former Wales youth international Geraint Frowen.

Undy started the sharper of the sides, creating the bulk of the first half chances and leaving Curtis Hutson, James Dixon and TJ Nagi to battle for scraps.

Town front pairing Dixon and Nagi would both strike the woodwork later, but it was the visitors who struck first blood; Gareth Cullimore's low effort beating Town goalkeeper Dan Bradley in the 34th minute.

Failing to come to life as a unit in what was a lethargic first half, Town performed better after the break, but were stunned when three minutes into the second half, Cullimore bagged his and Undy's second.

A fine right-footed strike that rocketed off the far post and into the Barry net, the second rocked the Jenner Park faithful and outlined the jeopardy the Town's 23-match unbeaten run was truly in.

Steadily finding their way, Dixon was unfortunate not to snatch one back for the hosts when the Undy goalkeeper blocked his effort from close range; and another Barry attempt was cleared from the line, finishing a frantic goalmouth scramble.

Then, when it seemed that the Town were destined to half the deficit, Undy broke free on the hour mark against the run of play; which led to a straight red card for Lewis Cosslett.

Cosslett instinctively pulled back the Athletic striker, denying him a clean run at goal, and while Barry would evade conceding a penalty by the narrowest of margins, the resulting free-kick from the edge of the box proved to be equally dangerous.

Curling home an exquisite set-piece to give the Gwent side a sizeable 3-0 lead, Tom Hooper delighted the away contingent, while rubbing further salt into the wounds of the grandstanders.

Never knowing when beaten, Barry persisted to chase the match and, despite their man disadvantage, they pulled one back with 20 minutes remaining.

Finishing from distance with typical skill and aplomb, it was Nagi who reduced the arrears, netting his 18th of the season and 65th in Barry colours.

The strike would galvanise the crowd and home team alike and, for a brief few minutes, it appeared that the Town may mount a mighty comeback to salvage a precious point.

However, a pair of quick-fire bookings for substitute Damon Searle, baffling both onlookers and the ex-Cardiff City defender, reduced Barry to nine men and effectively ended their chances of avoiding a first league defeat.

A bad day at the office for the Welsh League Division Three champions, credit must go to the visitors, who were the better side on the day against a Town XI sure to bounce back.

Barry now travel to Caerleon on Saturday, March 21 (2.30pm kick-off) needing four points to secure the unprecedented feat of back-to-back promotions.

Should results be in their favour, the Town could then be promoted at Jenner Park against Cwmbran Celtic next Tuesday, March 24 (7.45pm) or the following Saturday, March 28 at home to Penrhiwceiber (2.30pm).

Though their unblemished record has been shed, the real prizes still remain to play for and all in the town are welcomed to be part of what may be another historic season for the men in yellow and blue.

For the latest on the Barry Town promotion and title chases, visit the club online at www.barrytownunited.com

Barry: Dan Bradley, Geraint Frowen, Ryan Evans, Lewis Cosslett, Theo Richards, Lee Baldock, James Saddler, Troy Greening, TJ Nagi, James Dixon and Curtis Hutson.

Subs used: Rhys James, Damon Searle and Dale Howarth.

Saturday's match was preceded by a spotlessly-observed minute's silence for Barry youngsters Alesha O'Connor, Conner Marshall, Corey Price and Rhodri Miller. The Town players also wore black armbands in their memory on an afternoon when the club paid its respects to four popular members of the local community.