Barry Town United returned to the top six of the Cymru Premier after a 2-1 derby win over Cardiff Met.
31 days since their last top flight outing, Steve Jenkins' men were aiming to get their league season back into gear following their valiant exit in the Nathaniel MG Cup semi finals.
The Archers, who were looking to move into the top three, played out a 1-all draw with Barry when the near-neighbours last met at Cyncoed in August.
This midweek derby got off to a fiery start as strong cries for a penalty after a foul on Keenan Patten were waved away by referee Bryn Markham-Jones.
The Archers dominated possession in the opening stages, but Kayne McLaggon threatened first when the home skipper got onto a neat cross from Sam Snaith, only for his shot to be narrowly tipped over the bar by Met keeper Alex Lang.
Lewis Rees was denied twice in quick succession by home keeper Luc Rees - latterly when a long-distance effort was deflected away for a corner.
Barry nearly took the lead midway through the first half when Mikey George found an unmarked Keenan Patten at the back post, whose follow up was cleared off the line by CJ Craven.
Met built up the pressure towards the break when a long range effort from Eliot Evans brought a comfortable save out of Rees.
But barely a minute later, Ryan Reynolds coolly struck from the far post to put the visitors in front.
Barry needed to produce a strong second half performance - and they got off to a perfect start after barely a minute, when Evan Press struck from the edge of the area with his low drive parried into the net by Lang for the equaliser.
The comeback was completed just six minutes later when a clearance from the Met keeper fell into the path of Ryan Kavanagh, who unleashed a superb half volley from 25 yards out.
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— Sgorio (@sgorio) December 10, 2024
💛 Y Barri ar y blaen am y tro cyntaf yn y gêm!
âš½ Ryan Kavanagh pic.twitter.com/tJOGztmAFS
The returning Josh Yorwerth came close to adding a third soon afterwards amid a goalmouth scramble, but Lang made an easy save out of his looped shot from the edge of the area.
Met came close to drawing level when a 30 yard shot from Craven was spilled by Rees, who managed to gather the ball just before Sam Jones could take a shot at goal.
Barry kept pushing for a third as Snaith flicked the ball onto sub Josh Beecher, who broke clear down the left wing before his low cross was hurriedly saved by Lang.
Elliot Richards was also thwarted in stoppage time when he tried to chip the keeper - but Barry had done enough to move up to fifth in the table after a fifth win from their last six league games.
Barry travel north again on Saturday for their rearranged clash with fellow top-six contenders Caernarfon (2.30pm ko)
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