Barnet came back from a goal behind to draw level through a second half strike from a free-kick by Mark Marshall to give the Bees a point at Underhill against Bury this afternoon.
Mark Stimson brought in Rossi Jarvis and Joe Devera at the expense of Mark Hughes and Jordan Parkes, with both being dropped to the bench. A place in the starting line-up was awarded to Phil Walsh, Marshall making way, with the striker on loan from Dagenham & Redbridge playing a central role up front.
After last week's result Barnet started the game tentatively, but as the first half wore on the Bees were slowly but surely managing to equal the threat that a confident Bury side offered. Glen Southam was again in determined mood in the centre of midfield, cajoling his colleagues and distributing the ball with guile.
It was Southam who went the closest to opening the scoring for the home side in the first half with a well struck drive on 35 minutes, but his effort flashed over the bar.
Early in the second half Glenn Poole found Ricky Holmes with a quickly taken free-kick whose resulting effort on goal made the Shakers' keeper work.
On 56 minutes Ryan Lowe controlled a lofted pass forward, advanced on goal, and hit a drive across Jake Cole, hitting the inside of the post and into the net. A well taken goal; although there was a hint of off-side in the air.
Michael Jones, an influential midfielder for the visitors all afternoon could have doubled Bury's advantage moments later bit his effort drifted wide.
To Barnet's credit they took the game to Bury and enjoyed their best spell of the game which resulted in an equalising goal with fifteen minutes remaining.
A foul on Walsh won a free-kick, 25 yards out, and was struck by Marshall, with bend, past the defensive wall, into the corner. A well-worked goal that has its origins on the training ground.
Bury did enjoy good periods themselves and perhaps might consider themselves unfortunate not to claim the three points, but from a Barnet perspective this was a much improved performance in every aspect from last week and a point is a reward for this.
Walsh did offer something different in attack. His size and aerial ability ask different questions of defences, although today Barnet couldn't capitalise on his prowess.
This was a performance and result that went some way, but not all the way, to exorcising the ghouls of Gresty Road, and should be seen as progress, even if it is the WIP kind.
The Bees are at home next week on Saturday to Cheltenham Town.
David Bloomfield