Adam Birchall's sublime finish after just 13 minutes rewarded an energetic Barnet side with the three points against Peterborough United at Underhill on Boxing Day.

The Bees made just the one change to the starting line-up from the one that defeated Shrewsbury Town on Friday night, with Ross Flitney replacing thigh injury victim Lee Harrison in the Barnet goal.

Both sides started the game at pace, but it was the away side who were to have the first effort on goal when Adam Newton shot from 25 yards, although Flitney comfortably held onto the wingers effort.

Four minutes later and it was again Keith Alexander's side who were to strike at goal, but Richard Butcher's long range free kick went harmlessly over the crossbar.

The early Posh chances' appeared to spring the Bees into life and they were to take the lead moments later with their first effort on goal.

Nicky Bailey won back possession in the centre of the Barnet midfield before releasing the ball to the right to Barry Cogan. The former Millwall winger advanced forward before sending a low ball into the feet of Birchall, who cleverly turned Craig Morgan before sending a powerful effort into the roof of the net.

A minute later and Posh nearly forced the equaliser, but Newton's header, from a long Jude Stirling throw-in, was comfortably gathered by Flitney,

Birchall then shot straight at Rachubka in the 16th minute for the Bees with a well timed effort before the home side were forced into making a substitution when Adam Gross suffered an ankle injury when falling awkwardly and had to be replaced by Anthony Charles at left back.

The change seemed to affect the Bees, who were struggling to retain possession in the final 15 minutes of the first half, and Posh were seeing a greater amount of the ball, although they were struggling to create a great deal in the final third.

Stirling saw his ambitious effort go flying over Flitney's crossbar in the 35th minute, whilst three minutes later the Bees goalkeeper did well to block a Butcher effort after initially misjudging the flight of the ball following a Dean Holden cross.

As the half drew to a close Morgan saw his long range strike go wide for the away side before Flitney did well to hold onto a header from Danny Crow following a fine ball into the box by Newton.

On the stroke of half time Barnet twice came close to extending their lead when, firstly Jason Puncheon shot wide from 20 yards, and then from the resulting goal kick, Birchall regained possession before releasing the ball to Dean Sinclair, but the midfielders shot from the right of the penalty went wide of a post and away for a goal kick.

The second half proved to be another close affair in terms of poession although it was again Barnet who appeared to have the greater thrust in the final third.

A minute into the second period Simon King shot over from all of 30 yards before a fine move in the 56th minute involving Sinclair and Cogan resulted in Birchall shooting just wide from 15 yards.

Although the Posh were seeing the greater amount of possession in the second half they failed to create a clear cut chance and it was Paul Fairclough's Barnet who were looking the more likely.

In the 67th minute a long ball forward by Bailey found Sinclair who expertly brought the ball down but, sadly for the home crowd, the finish failed to match the control and the ball went over the crossbar.

With 72 minutes on the clock Morgan saw a weak header comfortably claimed by Flitney before Puncheon saw his fierce strike two minutes later go over Rachubka's crossbar.

Peterborough finished the game with four forwards on the pitch but they failed to inspire the away side and it was Barnet who left Underhill celebrating their third win in a row.

Attendance: 2958
Away: 686

By Jonathan Sugar