Barry Town United were denied all three points deep into stoppage time as Ammanford AFC struck from the penalty spot to earn a 2-2 draw at Jenner Park.
Goals from Noah Daley and Daniel Smith looked to have secured an eighth league victory of the season for The Town, but a VAR intervention in the closing stages handed the visitors the opportunity to level from 12 yards.
First Half
Barry began brightly under the Jenner Park lights and immediately put the visitors under pressure.
Elliott Dugan created the first opening inside the opening minute, delivering into the area for Jack Shaw, who was unable to get his shot away.
The Town continued to dominate possession, with Dan Barton releasing Mikey George down the right before the latter’s cross was blocked and cleared.
Barry thought they had found the breakthrough after seven minutes. A superb ball picked out George inside the area, who controlled beyond the goalkeeper before the loose ball fell to Dugan to fire home. The celebrations were cut short, however, with the goal ruled out for offside following a VAR check.
The pressure continued. Callum Sainty produced an excellent roulette to escape his marker before combining with Ellis Williams, while George continued to cause Ammanford problems down the right.
The breakthrough finally arrived after 17 minutes.
George delivered into the area before the ball eventually found Noah Daley, who held off his marker brilliantly before turning and smashing his effort beyond the goalkeeper to put The Town 1-0 ahead.
Barry went searching for a second, winning a succession of corners before Sainty almost doubled the advantage in spectacular fashion. The captain latched onto a cross and attempted a clever backheel beyond the goalkeeper, only for an Ammanford defender to intervene.
There was a setback shortly afterwards as Dugan was forced off through injury, with Daniel Smith introduced in his place after 27 minutes.
The hosts remained firmly in control. Williams and George continued to provide a threat from either flank, while Barry consistently regained possession whenever Ammanford attempted to clear their lines.
Theo Wharton came close shortly before the interval, meeting a corner at the near post with a clever flick which travelled narrowly over the crossbar.
Ammanford began to grow into the contest during the closing stages of the half and won a free-kick just outside the Barry area in added time, but the resulting effort was comfortably gathered by George Ratcliffe.
The Town headed into the break with a deserved 1-0 advantage.
Second Half
Barry picked up where they left off after the restart.
An Ammanford goal kick fell straight to Wharton on the edge of the area, but his first-time effort was gathered by the goalkeeper.
The visitors then provided an early warning at the other end when a cross from the left was flicked narrowly beyond Ratcliffe’s post.
But in the 53rd minute, Barry doubled their advantage in stunning fashion.
A long ball over the top released Daniel Smith, who raced onto it before producing an outstanding chip over the advancing goalkeeper and into the net.
The two-goal cushion lasted just two minutes.
Ammanford pulled one back in the 55th minute, with Barry appealing for offside. Following discussions with VAR, the goal was allowed to stand and suddenly the visitors were back in the contest at 2-1.
Barry looked to restore their advantage. Daley turned inside the area and saw an effort blocked behind, before another corner caused chaos as the goalkeeper dropped the ball and Ammanford eventually cleared off the line.
James Lester then had the ball cleared off the line following a Wharton delivery, but the offside flag denied The Town once again.
As the game entered its closing stages, Ammanford began to apply increasing pressure. Barry dealt with a succession of long throws and deliveries into the area, with Will Richards and Sainty making important clearances and Ratcliffe comfortably dealing with efforts that found their way through.
Jadyn Crosbie replaced Daley in the 88th minute as Barry looked to see out the remaining minutes.
Four minutes of additional time were initially indicated, but the biggest moment of the match arrived deep into stoppage time.
Following an Ammanford attack which was cleared and a free kick given to Barry, play was delayed as the referee discussed a potential penalty with VAR. The referee was subsequently sent to the pitchside monitor and, after reviewing the incident, awarded Ammanford a penalty.
Sainty was booked and, in the 95th minute, the visitors converted from the spot to make it 2-2.
There was still time for one final Barry opportunity, with George delivering into the area for Lester, whose header travelled wide in the eighth minute of stoppage time.
The final whistle followed shortly afterwards as The Town were forced to settle for a point after leading 2-0 at Jenner Park.
Full-time: Barry Town United 2-2 Ammanford AFC
Barry Town United: Ratcliffe, George, Williams, Sainty, Daley, Barton, Wharton, Lester, Dugan, Shaw, Richards.
Subs: Jackson, Crosbie, Schwank, Smith, Bernard, Grinter.