Andy Hessenthaler's equaliser in the opening minute of the second half rewarded a battling Barnet side with a share of the points against Peterborough United at London Road on Tuesday evening.

In a dominant first half display the Bees were unlucky to go in at the break a goal down after playing the better football and showing the great desire in the final third.

The Bees made four changes to the starting line-up that faced Bury only three days prior with skipper Ian Hendon being rested, Ismail Yakubu injured, Jason Puncheon suspended and Magno Vieira dropping down to the bench. In their place their was a first football league career start for 19-year-old PROTEC academy graduate, Joe Devera, Anthony Charles, Richard Graham and Liam Hatch.

The home side started brightly and two early free kicks from Jamie Day were well defended by Barnet as the Posh looked for an early breakthrough.

Tresor Kandol was to have the games first effort on goal and surprisingly it did not occur until the 20th minute but the Bees striker snatched at his left footed effort from the edge of the penalty and the ball went wide of Mark Tyler's right hand post.

Barnet continued to press forward and further efforts by Nicky Bailey forced keeper Tyler into smart saves after fine building up play by Paul Fairclough's side.

In the 31st minute, with the Bees playing the better football, Kandol had a good chance to break the deadlock when he met a Devera cross from the right but the strikers snap shot was again well held by Tyler.

A minute later and the same player had an even better chance to give the Bees the lead but with only Tyler to beat, Kandol could only direct his effort wide of a post.

Barnet were to pay for their missed chances three minutes later when the home side were to take the lead somewhat against the run of play.

Day collected the ball on the Peterborough left before sending a rasping 25 yard drive at goal which Lee Harrison did well to save with his legs but the ball fell straight to Peter Gain who guided his left footed shot into the top right hand corner of the net.

Barnet did not let their heads drop, though, and moments before half time both Kandol and Hatch saw further efforts well held by Tyler in the Posh goal.

No sooner had the second half began - to be exact 32 second were on the clock - and Tyler could do nothing to prevent Barnet from equalising.

A fine 40 yard pass forward by Bailey found Kandol, who broke clear of a static Posh defence, before he cut into the box and laid the ball square where the 41-year-old Hessenthaler made no mistake from four yards out.

Trevor Benjamin looked to get a quick response for Peterborough when his volley was tipped over the crossbar by Harrison before Butcher wasted two good chances for Keith Alexander's side on the hour when he shot wide when well positioned on both occasions.

In the 71st minute Barnet were nearly presented with a goal when a Graham crossfield pass was cut out by Guy Branston but the ball fell kindly to Hatch but he could only direct his effort wide with Tyler bearing down at his feet.

Both Day and Dean Sinclair then shot wide for the Posh and the Bees respectively ten minutes from time before both sides had glorious chances to win the game in injury time when firstly for Barnet, Hatch saw his free header saved by Tyler before substitute Mark Arber saw his header, from a Day corner, cannon off of the crossbar.

Attendance: 3193
Away: 430

By Jonathan Sugar