Analysis: Barry Town 2 The New Saints 5

It came with an ultimately comfortable 5-2 victory over Barry Town at a rain-drenched Jenner Park in the fourth round tie.

It saw two of the most successful sides in Welsh domestic football come face to face and did not disappoint, as it got off to a sensational start with three goals in the opening 11 minutes.

Barry, of the Welsh League, took a shock 2-1 lead after trailing to Greg Draper's early strike, before the Saints steadied the ship to stay on course for a third successive Welsh Cup, and fourth in five seasons.

The holders stamped their authority on proceedings to lead 3-2 at half time, before completing victory with two more goals in a dominant showing after their break inspired by winger Jamie Mullan.

TNS boss Craig Harrison said: "We started well, got an early goal, but then conceded a couple of sloppy goals ourselves

"But we know that we've got a lot of creativity in the side, and with the amount of time we had left, we felt there would be enough opportunity to come back into the game.

"We controlled the second half, got into some good positions, created a lot of opportunities, and could have scored a few more had we been more ruthless."

In the first meeting between the sides for 12 years, TNS made the best possible start.

Draper steered a low shot inside the left post on just three minutes after some neat interplay between Aeron Edwards and Mullan had prised open the home defence.

But the high flying visitors switched off, as Barry were back on terms straight from the kick off.

A neat back heel released Jordan Cotterill who broke towards the TNS box before steering a low shot past goalkeeper Paul Harrison into the right corner.

The action continued apace as home goalkeeper Dan Bradley saved at the feet of Draper.

At the other end James Dixon – who scored five goals in the previous round against Denbigh – was unable make any real contact from another promising position.

Mullan, who proved a tricky customer for TNS throughout, then had a low shot blocked following a short corner.

Bbut the Welsh Premier leaders were stunned for a second time, as Barry took the lead in the 11th minute of a high tempo opening.

A free kick on the left was swung into the box and Drew Fahiya was afforded plenty of space to head into the net, to spark more celebrations from the home fans.

Barry went close to a third when Dixon launched a storming run on the left before seeing his powerful shot kept out by a terrific save from goalkeeper Harrison.

Despite falling behind, the Saints were looking assured in possession, and carved a couple of goalmouth skirmishes courtesy of some well-worked moves to keep their south Wales hosts at full stretch.

They were back on terms as Draper netted his second of the game, when turning in Mullan's excellent low cross from the right.

It got even better four minutes before half-time, as Aeron Edwards put TNS in front with another close range finish after more good work down the flank by Mullan.

Harrison's men were now the dominant force as they pushed forward with increasing threat, and opened up a two goal advantage on 58 minutes.

Another slick move down the left saw Adrian Cieslewicz link up with Chris Marriott, who powered the ball home from 14 yards.

Draper went close to a hat-trick when his shot from the edge of the box was saved by Bradley as the slick Saints began to outrun and outgun their hosts.

Chances continued to flow, with sub Ryan Brobbel, a new recruit from Whitby Town, blazing over while Draper put a headed effort just past the post

With Barry tiring, full-timers TNS pushed forward seemingly at will, and wrapped up the win on 73 minutes.

Marriott's angled drive from the left of the box was turned into his own net by home defender Ryan Evans.

The holders had further chances to have made the scoreline more emphatic, but would have been happy enough with their efforts after a shaky start.

They now face a home tie against local rivals Newtown early next month in a repeat of last season's final which TNS won 2-0.

Quarter-final draw: The New Saints v Newtown, Guilsfield or Airbus UK v Bala Town, Cwmbran Celtic of Goitre v Port Talbot, Afan Lido or Cardiff Met v Gap Connah's Quay. Ties to be played on 4-6 March.