ABERYSTWYTH Town’s play-off hopes were dented as hosts Barry Town United moved eight points clear of the Seasiders with a 3-1 win at Jenner Park on Saturday.

It was a disappointing start to the second phase of the league campaign for Neville Powell’s side, after their excellent away win at Cardiff Met in the Welsh Cup.

Jonathan Hood scored on his debut to give the hosts a first half lead, before second half goals from Jordan Cotterill and Kayne McLaggan, from the penalty spot, secured all three points for the Dragons.

The impressive Declan Walker grabbed a late consolation, with a stunning scissor kick volley, but it wasn’t to be on a tough day for the Seasiders.

New central defender Craig Rogers came straight into the side for his full debut, replacing Malcolm Melvin, but Aber were soon on the back foot as Callum Sainty saw his header sail just over the crossbar.

Ryan Wade almost got on the end of Ashley Young’s throw in at the other end, but Aber’s first meaningful chance saw Walker stride forward and unleash a low effort that was well saved by former Aberystwyth keeper Mike Lewis.

Barry, however, continued to dominate possession in the early stages, without causing new centre-back pairing Rogers and Ryan Wollacott any major problems.

As the first half wore on, Aber grew into the game, and on 20 minutes John Owen cut inside to fire a tame left-footed effort at Lewis.

It was Barry, however, who made the breakthrough on 23 minutes when Jonathan Hood whipped in a low cross-come-shot that fizzed into the bottom corner of the net.

Aber responded well, with John Owen and Joe Phillips producing some threatening wide play, and Phillips let fly from 25 yards, but his bouncing shot was straight down the throat of Lewis in goal.

Powell’s men increased their tempo after the break, with Owen heading Wade’s cross over the bar, before Owen again found himself unmarked in the penalty box, where he expertly brought the ball under control, before forcing Lewis into a fantastic save at his near post.

Soon after came the sucker punch, however, as Jordan Cotterill strode forward before cutting inside and firing into the bottom right corner of the net for 2-0 after 55 minutes.

Substitutes Malcolm Melvin and Craig Hobson were introduced for Aber, but on 63 minutes the hosts almost extended their lead as sub James Demetriou rounded Chris Mullock, only to be denied by a superb last-ditch tackle by Walker.

Town pressed for a way back into the game, with Damien Allen firing a rebound wide, before Hobson sent a left-footed shot inches over.

Barry, however, put the game to bed on 81 minutes as Kayne McLaggan was fouled in the area, and he stepped up to convert the resulting penalty, to make it 3-0.

Aber still continued to search for a consolation goal and on 87 minutes they were rewarded when Damien Allen’s corner was brilliantly converted by Walker with a scissor-kick volley into the bottom corner of the net to make it 3-1.

BARRY TOWN: M Lewis, M Southam, C Hugh, L Cooper, C Watkins, T Greening (J Saddler 89’), C Sainty, J Cotterill, R Newman (J Demetriou 63’), K McLaggon, J Hood (T Webbe 84’). Subs not used: P Morgan, J Massaro.

ABER: C Mullock, D Walker, C Rogers (L Borrelli 70’), R Wollacott, T Owens (M Melvin 57’), J Owen, R Wade, M Jones, A Young, D Allen, J Phillips (C Hobson 57’). Subs: G Kellaway, J Rimmer, A Walters. Attendance: 407.Read Neville Powell's comments in this week's Aberystwyth edition..