Check the newspapers, check the internet, ask Jeff Stelling. Was the score really 1-0 to Brentford at Griffin Park? Yes, I'm afraid it was, but it doesn't begin to tell even half of the story of how Barnet put in a truly remarkable performance against table topping Brentford.

Barnet were unchanged from Saturday, the named 16 were retained.

Before either side had assumed any degree of control over the match, in the 8th minute Gary Breen conceded a corner when he had blocked a cross. From Kevin O'Connor's inswinger Marcus Bean managed to glance his header into the Barnet net to give the home side the lead.

Barnet nearly drew level, (a phrase I might come back to), when a John O'Flynn free kick from the edge of the box flashed past a post in the 15th minute.

Barnet nearly drew level in the 21st minute when a great curling left footed effort from Paul Furlong was touched onto a post by Ben Hamer; with Yannick Bolasie just unable to tuck the ball over the line from the rebound.

Brentford too had their chances; Bean could have doubled their advantage when he put the ball wide when well positioned.

Bolasie created an opportunity for Albert Adomah when he went on a mesmerising meander down the left flank and delivered a cross that was just too long for Furlong and fell to Adomah but his volley went wide.

Barnet had played well in the first half and could easily have been level at this stage.

In the second half Barnet played even better. They were repeatedly first to the ball and made good use of it when they had it. It was difficult to tell which grist of Bees was leading the League 2 table.

With Barnet on the offensive Brentford occasionally broke away and a headed effort by Jordan Rhodes prompted Jake Cole to make a terrific save and Cole also saved well from Sam Wood.

Barnet nearly drew level when a seemingly goalbound header from Ismail Yakubu was deflected over the bar when Adomah tried to ensure that the ball crossed the line. This was moments after a Breen shot had been parried for a corner.

The Brentford goal was under a virtual siege. Ian Hendon, by withdrawing his right back, rearranged his side into a VERY attacking 3-3-4 formation, which featured Furlong, Cliff Akurang, Adam Birchall, O'Flynn and two wingers in Bolasie and Adomah.

O'Flynn with a couple of shots and Yakubu, with an attempt at a diving header, nearly levelled the scores as all through the second half Brentford were content to waste time.

Very late on substitute Sam Williams did break free but his shot was wayward and a two goal margin in favour of the Griffin Park outfit would have been an outrage.

After the game Ian Hendon said he was confident that if his team plays like that, results will undoubtedly follow and that whilst he enters every game with the aim of winning, not just picking up the odd draw here and there, if he is going to lose a match, despite the pain of defeat, this was certainly the way to go about it.

Defeats are normally deflating. It was strange that this one wasn't, despite the defeat this was a performance to be proud of.

The Bees are at Morecambe this Saturday.

David Bloomfield