Substitute Ben Fawcett had a telling impact as the forward scored a brace to help Haverfordwest County defeat 10-man Barry Town United 2-1 at the Bridge Meadow.
The striker replaced the in-form Jack Wilson – who was forced off through injury after just six minutes – and put in a brilliant performance for the Bluebirds.
Wayne Jones’ side went ahead when Fawcett found himself free inside the area and the youngster showed good composure to fire past Mike Lewis for the opening goal of the game.
The Dragons equalised when an error from goalkeeper Wojciech Gajda gave substitute Josh Graham the chance to shoot on the turn and find the right corner.
However, the key moment came just three minutes later when keeper Lewis spilled the ball into the path off Fawcett, who took a touch, turned, and calmly slotted the ball into the right corner to secure an impressive three points for the hosts.
Things went from bad to worse for the visitors when defender Curtis McDonald was given his marching orders after a foul on Fawcett – who proved to be a real handful for the Dragons back line – resulted in the 32-year-old being shown a second yellow card.
The result sees County consolidate their position in seventh on 20 points, four clear of nearest challengers Cardiff Metropolitan, while the Linnets are just a point ahead on 21 as they miss out on the opportunity to leapfrog Pen-y-Bont into fourth.
After an action-packed start, the Bluebirds were awarded a penalty when midfielder Kieran Lewis was fouled inside the area. However Elliot Scotcher’s spot-kick grazed the crossbar before going over.
Prior to this, the hosts had had a couple of early opportunities through Corey Shephard and Fawcett. The former’s effort from distance flew comfortably wide, before match-winner Fawcett saw his strike narrowly evade the far post.
Lewis was next to have an attempt on goal, with the Bluebirds midfielder shooting just wide from the edge of the area.
Perhaps fortunate to still find themselves level, Gavin Chesterfield’s side went close to taking the lead when Clayton Green’s header from inside the area was just over the right stanchion of the goal.
Kayne McLaggon attempted a bicycle kick on the half-hour mark which went just wide as the visitors pushed for an opening goal.
Josh Graham celebrates his equalising goal. (Photo: Lewis Mitchell)
The lively Fawcett went close again just minutes later when he showed great determination to twice win the ball back on the edge of Barry’s penalty area.
After retrieving the ball for the second time, he tried to stab a shot into the left corner but saw it go just wide.
Curtis Jemmett-Hutson nearly got his head onto the end of a ball into the box from the left side, when any real contact would surely have resulted in a goal.
Fawcett had been heavily involved in most of the Bluebirds’ attacking moves, and he made no mistake from close range to put his team ahead ahead after a precise through ball from substitute Danny Williams.
With County leading 1-0, a vital intervention from Cameron Keetch denied Barry an equaliser when he got in the way of a McLaggon shot from inside the area.
Graham popped up six minutes later, however, to score from close range and level matters heading into the final 20 minutes.
Ben Fawcett scores Haverfordwest County’s winning goal. (Photo: Lewis Mitchell)
This setback didn’t have a negative affect on Jones’ side, however, as they responded through the excellent Fawcett, who showed composure and a clinical touch beyond his years to net the winning goal.
Shephard went close to doubling the Bluebirds’ advantage and putting the result beyond doubt when his deflected effort from outside the area went just over the crossbar.
For Barry, this is their sixth league defeat of the season. In the 25 games they played in the curtailed 2019-20 campaign, they recorded seven losses.
The west Wales outfit will have their eyes firmly set on qualification for the Championship conference, with six games left to play until the league splits into two.
You can catch up with how the game unfolded via our live blog below:
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