A point at Port Vale on a cold night in the Potteries was the reward for a sound defensive performance as Barnet boss Paul Fairclough made four changes from the team that was defeated by Macclesfield Town on Saturday.

Significantly in came Rob Beckwith, Jeremy de Magalhaes, Cliff Akurang, with Max Porter also being restored to the midfield. The Bees wore for the first time this season their third choice kit of all amber with black trim, the design being akin the reverse of the home kit.

Barnet set out their stall in a 4-5-1 formation, Albert Adomah and Akurang on the flanks with John O'Flynn the spearhead. On occasions the formation became a more fluid 4-3-3 should the wide players push forward, but in essence the team was set out to stem the flow of goals against and in that regard the ploy was successful.

de Magalhaes looked comfortable partnering Michael Townsend at the back. He won more than his fair share of defensive headers, used the ball well and was not afraid to simply clear his lines when required.

Abu Ogogo was also more at ease. His partnership down the right with Adomah showed promise. The on-loan Gunner and the flying winger often combining well in both an attacking and defensive sense.

Sometimes nil-nils are thrillers, but this was not one of them. Both goalkeepers were under-employed, but Beckwith did everything asked of him, he looked commanding, his handling was good and it was encouraging to see him come through a crowd of players and get good distance on his punches. And a clean sheet is not to be sniffed at.

Adomah and the Vale left-back Paul Edwards were engaged in an evening long tussle. Both have pace to burn and like to attack. If the deadlock was to be broken it would likely be from an Adomah run with the ball taken deep into Vale territory with O'Flynn finishing off the move. Such an attack never quite materialised but O'Flynn went close on a number of occasions, particularly just before half-time when the Irishman drifted in from the right and hit a left foot chip shot just that went over the bar.

Midway through the second period the Vale defender Gareth Owen got in a good header from a free kick but Beckwith was not tested as the ball flew over the bar.

Barnet were more offensive in the second half as the home side seemed to run out of ideas. They did not have sufficient quality to impose their will on the game and the hard work and pressing of the ball by Barnet, especially the three central midfield players, nullified their threat.

The Bees had more of the play in the second half with the home side's fans becoming increasingly discontent with the fare being served up. The 81 Barnet fans by contrast were noisy all night. Perhaps in an effort to stamp out the cold, or maybe it was the rhythm of the drum, they clapped and made themselves heard for the 90 minutes.

Their reward for their endeavours was to see their team secure a point. It was deserved and you don't need to be too generous to say that if any team was going to take away all three it would be the visitors, but a draw sounds about right.

The changes made to the team improved it; the performance was mature, disciplined and professional. It was not flowing or sparkling but for grit alone the Bees deserved their point.

David Bloomfield.