JD Cymru Premier

The New Saints 2

Barry Town United 2

The New Saints’ winless run in the league stretched to four games on Friday night as they shared the spoils with Barry Town United.

A late strike for the visitors crushed Saints’ hopes of moving to within two points of league leaders Connah’s Quay Nomads.

Dean Ebbe continued his fine run of scoring, grabbing two goals in the opening 11 minutes of the evening, to give Scott Ruscoe’s side an early two-goal advantage.

Luke Cummings pulled a goal back 10 minutes into the second half, before an injury-time equaliser from Luke Cooper salvaged a point for the South Wales side.

The hosts made a very positive start, with Ryan Brobbel hitting the woodwork in the opening two minutes of the game.

And after being denied by the woodwork, the Welsh champions found themselves ahead on the scoreboard just a minute later.

Jamie Mullan swung a cross towards Ebbe, who rose to glance the ball past the keeper with his head.

Fewer than 10 minutes later, Ebbe was on the scoresheet again. The Irishman showed great skill to react to a ball which bounced towards him off the crossbar, and found the net using the back of his head.

Things were going well for TNS, and they could have extended their lead further when Ebbe nearly grabbed his hat-trick with another header in the 23rd minute.

Barry started to grow into the game as the half went on, but had no luck in front of goal.

That was to change after the break though, when Cummings grabbed a goal to reduce Saints’ lead to one goal.

His cross-cum-shot caught Paul Harrison out and found its way into the net.

Ebbe hit the post soon afterwards, but he and several others were unable to double their side’s lead.

Danny Redmond and Greg Draper both went close as the game approached its end.

And TNS were left to rue their missed chances in the 92nd minute. A late corner was guided into the net by Cooper to make it 2-2.

TNS remain second and four points behind Connah’s Quay Nomads.

They face Caernarfon Town away on Friday (kick-off 7.45pm).