A penalty converted by Brentford's Glenn Poole after just ten minutes was the difference between the two sets of Bees at Underhill today. Barnet, by contrast missed their opportunity to draw level early in the second half, when Albert Adomah's spot kick was comfortably saved by the impressive Ben Hamer in the Brentford goal.

In an effort to turn around Barnet's fortunes the Bees boss Paul Fairclough gave a debut to Aswad Thomas, on loan from Charlton Athletic, at left back and re-instated Lee Harrison between the posts and also recalled Cliff Akurang to lead the attack; at the expense of Rob Beckwith and Luke Medley respectively.

Following three defeats on the spin Barnet lacked confidence, but there could be no faulting their effort as exemplified by Neal Bishop and Max Porter in midfield who worked extremely hard to haul to Bees back into the game.

Brentford generally had the better of the first half with a Nathan Elder header going narrowly wide just after the half hour mark, although a fine run from midfield by Adomah, after he had dispossessed a dithering defender on the half way line, could have led to a Barnet equaliser but he shot over when well positioned.

Barnet started the second period in determined mood. They were not content to feel sorry for themselves but by effort alone they took the game to Brentford in search of an equaliser.

In the opening moments of the second half a golden opportunity to draw level came courtesy of penalty won by Adomah who was felled in the box. His spot kick however was tame and easily saved.

A fine move involving Ashley Carew and Bishop set up Adomah again but although his stinging shot was not held by Hamer the rebound did not fall to a Barnet player, when frankly it could quite easily have done.

All afternoon Birchall frequently tested Hamer and once from very close range he could have perhaps done better, but the opportunity came and went in an instant.

Post match the Brentford manager, Andy Scott, said that he was disappointed with his team's second half display and had Barnet drawn level there would have been a sense of justice about such an outcome, although Moses Ademola did force Harrison to make an excellent save late on which would have took the game beyond Barnet's reach.

In time added on it looked odds on that Luke Medley would find the net only for his effort, once he had rounded the keeper, to agonisingly hit the side netting, indication perhaps that the Bees from Underhill were destined not o score today.

Brentford fans may well think that their side deserved the three points on the basis of their bossing of the game in the first half and defending doggedly in the second, whilst followers of Barnet could argue that a missed penalty and the fact that ample chances were created were indicative of the fact that a point apiece might well have been a fair reward for an afternoons toil.

Barnet now take to the road with three away trips. League points are at stake against Chester next Saturday followed a week later with an away fixture at Lincoln; sandwiched in-between is a local derby at Dagenham & Redbridge in the JPT.

David Bloomfield.