BALA Town stay top of the JD Cymru Premier after Monday’s hard-fought 2-2 draw at Barry Town United.

In the basking Jenner Park heat, there was a bright start to the game, but no significant chances in the opening 10 minutes for either side.

There were excellent chances at either end, with Chris Venables’ header being saved by Radcliffe, who quickly released Barry into a counter attack and this saw Nathan Burke hacking the ball off the line.

Bala goalkeeper Josh Tibbetts took a heavy knock to the shoulder on 20 minutes.

While he continued until half-time, Tibbetts was eventually replaced by Ashley Morris.

Bala continued to create chances, with Louis Robles' effort being saved and Lee Molyneux's low shot went inches wide.

A halfway line wonder strike by Mendes flew narrowly wide of the post as he spotted the goalkeeper off his line, but Barry claimed the lead through Fahiya just before the interval.

With six minutes of injury time added, Town were awarded a free kick, but Molyneux’s top corner bound strike was pushed out by Radcliffe.

Bala started the second half very well and they levelled in the 53rd minute.

Sean Smith set up an unmarked Lassana Mendes to coolly slot into the net.

However, with 67 minutes on the clock, Barry were back ahead.

Morris made a superb full stretch save to his right, but the rebound was smashed in at close range by Kayne McLaggon.

They almost added a third after the restart, but Sean Smith made a match-changing goalline clearance to deny McLaggon.

Bala dug deep and showed tremendous character to get back on level terms.

A bullet header from 12 yards by centre half Stuart Jones found the back of the net to make it 2-2.