Barnet reverted to a 4-4-2 formation for this match against table topping MK Dons at Underhill today, with Cliff Akurang partnering Adam Birchall in attack, but with little going right for the Bees at the moment the visitors ran out victorious courtesy of two well struck goals inside the first twenty minutes.

The task of getting back into the game was made more onerous by the sending off of Michael Leary, just before half time for what can only be described an ill considered challenge on the Dons skipper Keith Andrews when the ball was elsewhere.

The Bees had the better of the early exchanges and could have taken an early lead, but Leary's shot was considerably wide of the mark when he was well placed.

After a pinball like moment in the penalty box Birchall had managed to put the ball into the net, but his effort was ruled out for offside and Albert Adomah, back on the right wing did not hesitate to take the ball and run aggressively at the Dons left back Dean Lewington.

However on 14 minutes Kevin Gallen showed speed of movement and guile down the Dons left flank and when his deep cross was not cleared properly the loose ball fell invitingly to Alan Navarro who put MK one up with a powerful shot that the Bees keeper Rob Beckwith could only flail at.

Moments later Lloyd Dyer hit a shot into the top corner of the net to double the Dons lead, with again no blame being apportioned to Beckwith.

Paul Fairclough later bemoaned his sides ability to defend at these two crucial moments but was at pains to point out that he feels the players are giving everything and furthermore he is totally convinced that he is good enough a coach and manager to turns things around.

In the second half Barnet tried various formations and permutations of players to try and get back into the game, but ran up against a solid defence in which the centre back of pairing of Sean O'Hanlon and Danny Swailes were commanding and resolute.

Be it playing with a back three, Adamoh playing as a central striker or Giuliano Grazioli joining the fray Barnet were always hampered by the unavoidable fact that they were a man light.

MK bided their time, safe in the knowledge that Barnet would need to come out and attack them and that opportunities on the break would present themselves. As Barnet chased the game Beckwith was called upon to keep MK at bay and some of the visitors finishing was wayward.

Paul Ince was dismayed that his team did not extend their lead because he felt that it would only take one goal for Barnet to be back in the game and he would liked to have put the task far beyond the home teams reach.

However hitting the back of the net is exactly the pressing issue at the moment, with the next opportunity to end this run of defeats presenting itself in the shape of Shrewsbury Town next Saturday at Underhill.

David Bloomfield