Barnet manager Paul Fairclough said after the match that he felt that Morecambe deserved to leave Underhill with the three points and that he would need to reflect and possibly consider dropping the 4-5-1 formation that has seen the Bees look more resolute in previous matches but was perhaps a factor in today's somewhat lacklustre performance.
The starting eleven was unchanged from that that lined up at Hereford United in midweek, Kieron St. Aimie replacing Tim Trebes on the substitutes bench being the only change.
Following on from the win at Edgar Street hopes were high that Barnet would capitalise on that victory and get a good run of results going. And it certainly looked that way when in the opening minutes Cliff Akurang showed David Artell a clean pair of heels down the left wing, his astute cross found Albert Adomah, but the Bees new signing put his effort wide.
Adomah featured only sporadically in the game, but there were enough glimpses of pace and purpose about his play to earn him applause when he was substituted just after the hour mark. One run in particular from the right saw him evade several challenges, only for a foul to halt his progress.
In his post match press conference the Bee's boss felt that on the day several of his players had delivered a performance much below that of late. He added further, with brutal honesty and frankness, that in the process of reflecting on the game he will look deeply into his own performance with regard to team selection and shape.
Playing in a slightly withdrawn striking role Morecambe's Carl Baker was central to much of their play. He showed good, close control and had the ability to take players on in advanced areas and get his shots away. Morecambe players all put in a good shift, their midfield had a lot of the ball and the defence remained resolute.
The Morecambe manager Sammy McIlroy felt that his side would have a chance against the Bees from set plays and from a quality delivery from a corner from their left Garry Thompson found himself unmarked. His fiercely hit effort was well parried by Lee Harrison but Thompson reacted quicker than those around him and pounced on to the rebound.
The goal bore a striking resemblance to the one conceded at Hereford where an experienced forward escaped the Barnet defence and in an instant had the ball in the back of the Bee's net.
The Shrimp's goal was the signal to revert to 4-4-2, with Adomah and Akurang making way for Anthony Thomas and Adam Birchall, but the Morecambe defence was in no mood to give a goal away cheaply.
In the closing moments, from a free kick routine, Joss Wright was seemingly floored in the penalty area and in the fracas that followed the Bee's midfielder found himself cautioned for diving. On another day a spot kick could easily have been awarded.
If Barnet fans are looking for positives then they need look no further than Joe Devera, who is now excelling at centre back. In addition to being a commanding defender he is distributing the ball well with either foot in to the strikers or to the wings. In Barnet's scheme of things to build up play from the back he is now integral.
Two long distance forays north now beckon for Barnet in the next seven days, Tuesday in Rochdale and Darlington on Saturday, but the Bee's are now in the strange position of having won more points on their travels than at Underhill.
The line up and shape the team adopts at Spotland and The Balfour Webnet Darlington Arena will no doubt make for interesting debate.
David Bloomfield
