Barnet found themselves in 18th position with 12 points from 12 games as we entered October and they were to pick up just 3 league points from the next four games.

Over 4,000 were at Edgeley Park Stockport on Saturday 7th October to witness a comfortable 2-0 victory for County with the goals coming either side of half time from David Poole and Adam Le Fondre. After an hour Lee Harrison suffered a hamstring injury, which would sideline him for some weeks, Ross Flitney took over in goal.

3rd placed Lincoln City were the visitors to Underhill the following Saturday and the game was effectively over before half time courtesy of two goals from Jamie Forrester and one from Lee Beevers. It was 0-4 after 53 minutes, Forrester completing a hatrick and then 0-5 at the final whistle, Leon Mettham with a simple tap in capping a miserable afternoon for the Bees. Much conjecture and discussion from supporters followed with Paul Fairclough obviously taking the flack. "It was a horror story and we will have to get back to the drawing board" he said as Barnet sat firmly in the bottom three of the table.

Some smiles were to be had after the hard earned 1-0 victory at the County Ground, Nottingham in the first round of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy. Tresor Kandol, returning after a bout of flu, scored the goal in the first half. With Harrison unavailable, 21-year-old non-contract Venezuelan goalkeeper Mikhael Jaimez-Ruiz sat on the bench as cover for Flitney. "I am delighted with the response of the players," said Fairclough, "it has been a difficult week and hopefully this victory will give us some confidence for the next game".

Darlington is a long way away, and an even longer way away coming home after a defeat. In fairness the team deserved a point in a fairly open contest but conceded two goals in the last 14 minutes. The travelling fans proudly voiced their appreciation to the players and the Manager, as this was a vast improvement on the performance against Lincoln. Yet the result compounded the fact that the Bees hadn't won in 9 League outings.

With the news that Simon King was on the mend following a serious hand injury, 2,300 were at Underhill on Saturday 28th October and they saw a much-needed victory over Chester City thanks to a first half penalty from Dean Sinclair. Nicky Bailey actually missed a second half spot kick but at the final whistle a cheer of relief swept around the ground. In the bottom three we sat but amazingly only 9 points separated Barnet in 22nd from Hereford in 8th. Lincoln City and Walsall shared top berth with 35 points from their 16 games.

The reward for the fine victory at Notts County in the Johnstone's Paint trophy was a 2nd round trip to Whaddon Road, Cheltenham. Tresor Kandol opened the scoring for the Bees but the team was 3-1 down at half time - goals from JJ Melligan and Gavin McCann (2) doing the damage. Kandol pulled a goal back in the second half that was full of attacking endeavour from Barnet including fine efforts from Devera, Warhurst, Bailey, King and Kandol but it finished 3-2 to the Robins.

Barry Cogan's 25-yard strike seven minutes from time was the highlight in the fine win at Hartlepool Utd. The 1-0 victory eased the pressure on Paul Fairclough and his men. Lee Harrison returned in goal with Paul Warhurst deputising for the suspended Kandol in attack in a 4-4-1-1 formation.

So often the underdogs it was a role change for Barnet as they visited Conference North's Gainsborough Trinity in the 1st round of the FA Cup. It was a game that was to prove the catalyst for a history making run for the club in the competition, but I am way ahead with the story!

On a windy and rain swept afternoon Dean Sinclair put the Bees one up after 14 minutes latching onto an Ismail Yakubu header. Trinity got back into the game after 75 minutes -an unmarked Nicky Ellis heading home past Harrison. It became the Tresor Kandol show 3 minutes later as the Bees substitute easily outpaced a tiring defence and finished with power and style before securing the victory with a penalty in injury time.

Back to league action and the visitors to Underhill on Saturday 18th November were Rochdale. In a close game watched by 1,972, the Bees finished up 3-2 victors. Tresor Kandol was in fine form again and hit a hat-trick. The winner came in injury time - the Bees top scorer powering in a pin point cross from Andy Hessenthaler.

The final game in November was a tough trip to the Memorial Ground Bristol Rovers. Over 5,000 fans saw second half goals from Nicholson and Lambert without reply which put paid to a battling performance from the Bees.

At the end of November Barnet sat 18th in the table with 21 points from 19 games. Walsall were clear at the top with 44 points while Macclesfield were in dire straights holding the rest up with just 7 points. On a brighter note the draw for the 2nd round of the FA Cup would see old adversaries Northampton visit Underhill and it was to be worth waiting for!