What might have been a comfortable win turned out to be anything but as a spirited Barry Town side went close to snatching a point at Farrar Road.

City enjoyed the support of yet another strong wind as they attacked the St Pauls End in the first period and led at half time by two goals to nil. The first opening came in the third minute when Mark Connolly's right footed curler went a yard wide of Rudall's left post. Bangor forced their first corner on five minutes but moments later Phil Priestley wasa scrambling at the feet of visting striker Jamie Mitchell after some defensive indecision on the edge of the Bangor box.

On ten minutes City forced a couple more corners the second of which saw Peter Hoy head over from close range with the keeper no where to be seen. Barry struck back and City were grateful to the alert Eifion Jones whose timely interception halted Mitchell's progress on the right. Les Davies and former Citizen Gavin Allen went close before Bangor took the lead on 23 minutes. Chasing a ball into the box Frank Mottram was pulled back by Shakespeare which tempted referee Nigel Richards to point to the spot. The penalty kick was spotted by Paul Gedman who placed the ball to Rudall's right for a one nil lead.

Immediately City thought they were 2-0 up when Mark Connolly headed home from a deep cross from the right but this time the official ruled in favour of the visitors for a supposed push by City's teenage midfielder. This prompted a wonderful run through the midfield and heart of City's defence by Leyton Maxwell, which the Prestatyn lad finished off with a low strike off target. Frank Mottram then tested Rudall from 25 yards before Barry won their first corner on the half hour.

On 35 minutes it was 2-0 as the excellent Eifion Jones crashed the ball home after Mark Connolly's effort had been blocked from a corner. The young midfielder then fired off target from 30 yards before a Paul Gedman effort brought appeals for a handball, the ball broke to Clayton Blackmore who saw his shot blocked. With half time looming Bangor won their sixth and final corner kick of the half following a surging run from Gareth Williams. There was still time for a freekick from Mark Connolly to flash over the visitors bar before referee Richards blew for the interval.

City trooped off 2-0 ahead but fully aware that a tougher second period awaited, into the teeth of the gusting wind.

The second half was about to kick off when visting goalkeeper Rudall was taken ill and declared unfit to continue. After a few minutes former Aberystwyth fullback Mark Duckett put on a garish orange top and took over between the sticks at the Farrar End.

In the opening ten minutes of the second period Duckett was in the thick of the action as Frank Mottram thought he had scored but the stand in stopper produced a tremendous one handed save onto the crossbar. Then the same combination saw Duckett save easily from an understrength shot. City attacked down the left as Gareth Evans combined with the tricky Gareth Williams but his cross was headed off target by Paul Gedman.

On the hour Barry pulled a goal back through Gavin Allen who took his chance coolly after another good run from Leyton Maxwell. City hit back but again Duckett was up to the task, this time thwarting Paul Gedman who had been picked out by Les Davies. Moments later Eifion Jones was again in the right place as Barry used the wind to drive them forwards. Jones was ably supported by his backline, including Steve Hitchen whose determination was plain to see, Peter Hoy and Gareth Evans who also battled purposefully.

With some 25 minutes remaining Barry sent on Dave Sherman and Mattie Davies for Mitchell and Picknall. City promptly forced a couple more corners through Les Davies and Gareth Williams, the second of which culminated in Eifion Jones having his goalbound effort hacked away. The ball switched to the opposite end for Mattie Davies to shoot tamely at Phil Priestley from ten yards. City then replaced Les Davies with Kenny Burgess.

Frank Mottram cut in from the right after good work from Eifion Jones but sliced his shot off target, then Jones himself was again on targetfollowing a freekick. A clever lay off from Paul Gedman set up a chance for Clayton Blackmore but his effort went over as anxiety in the home support began to grow. With fifteen minutes remaining Paul Roberts came off the bench in place of Frank Mottram but could only watch as Barry forced a couple of quick corners which resulted in former Port Talbot midfielder Dave Sherman heading wide from close range to the relief of the City camp.

In the closing minutes Barry forced a couple more corners, Mark Connolly sent a lob of target for City, and finally the whistle blew for fulltime. It may sound a back handed compliment but this Barry side must rank amongst the best "bottom placed" clubs to visit Farrar Road in recent years. With a touch more quality in front of goal they might yet escape the trapdoor. For City Eifion Jones was outstanding both with and against the wind, whilst Leyton Mazwell showed glimpses of the quality which took hime to Liverpool and Cardiff City.

Bangor City: Phil Priestley, Peter Hoy, Gareth Williams, Eifion Jones, Steve Hitchen, Gareth Evans, Clayton Blackmore, Les Davies, Paul Gedman, Frank Mottram, Mark Connolly, Subs: Kenny Burgess, Paul Roberts, Paul Friel

Barry Town: Rudall, Picknall, Giles, Maxwell, Philpott, Shakespeare, Sherbon, Matthews, Mitchell, Allen, Duckett. Subs: Davies, Sherman, Minett, Elliott

Report by: Mike Smith