Notts County capitalised on a series of defensive errors to score four first half goals and condemn Barnet to their fifth home defeat of the season.

The Bees started the game with a 4-4-2 formation, John O'Flynn and Adam Birchall leading the attack. Loan signing Abu Ogogo was making his league debut at right-back and with his first touch, from a free-kick, he put Birchall in on goal, but the Bees striker was just unable to take advantage of the opportunity.

In the seventh minute County took the lead when Richard Butcher hit a well-struck left footed shot past Lee Harrison and matters were only to get worse when Barnet failed to clear the danger on 14 minutes and Jonathon Forte was able to score from close range.

If Barnet felt they were now being asked to climb a mountain to win the match the size of the task only increased when Forte scored again on 27 minutes when he took advantage of a defensive lapse on the edge of the area to fire calmly past Harrison.

The visitors, having established such a considerable lead, were content to allow the Barnet attacks to come to them and then try and further extend their lead with swiftly executed counter attacks.

Forte completed his hat-trick just before half-time when he lobbed the ball over the advancing Lee Harrison. It was unclear at the time where the Barnet defence was.

Whilst it is impossible to deny that the Magpies deserved their lead, in spells, in patches, Barnet did construct some worthwhile attacks of their own. Albert Adomah looked a threat all afternoon, either as a supplier of quality crosses or shooting from distance. Two exquisite near post crosses deserved to be turned into goals.

In the second half in an attempt to change the complexion of the game Barnet used all three substitutes. Nicky Deverdics added extra craft to the midfield, Ryan Burge made his League debut in midfield and Luke Medley was introduced upfront.

The Bees kept playing and passing, but County knew that they were sitting very comfortably in the driving seat and the visitors did not need to overly exert themselves to maintain their lead.

The second half from Barnet was better than the first, but after the calamities of the first half almost anything would have been. To their credit heads did not go down, they kept going, but as the clock ticked down the slimmest of chances of getting anything out of this match soon evaporated.

Neal Bishop best exemplified the fact that there was still pride, if not points to play for. He was energetic, used the ball well and played with grit, guile and determination.

Everything that Notts County touched today turned to gold; they did not create countless chances, but of those that they did, a very high percentage found Barnet's net.

On the occasions when Barnet did get their game together their moves did attract applause from the crowd, albeit muted and sadly with the hint that it was never likely to bring their team back into the game. And when Barnet did get themselves into reasonable situations a number of times Russell Hoult, the Magpies keeper, was rarely tested.

Next up for Barnet is the 1st Round FA Cup replay at Rochdale on Tuesday.

David Bloomfield.