Morecambe ran out 2-1 victors in a game that for large periods Barnet were the dominant team and created the greater number of chances, yet the Bees performance did lack some of the zip and incision that was so evident at Griffin Park in midweek. This victory took Morecambe's unbeaten run to eleven matches.

Gary Breen was unavailable with a neck strain and was replaced at centre back by the fit-again Joe Devera with Max Porter taking the place of Michael Leary on the bench.

The Bees were on the offensive from the start at a windy Christie Park. The pitch was uneven and the surface seemingly made of energy sapping clay, conditions hardly conducive to slick, cohesive football.

Morecambe showed signs of life in the 24th minute when Stewart Drummond deftly weighted a pass into the path of Neil Wainwright only for Jake Cole to dive bravely at the feet on the onrushing forward to nullify the danger.

Paul Furlong, with a groin strain, was substituted after half an hour and was replaced by Cliff Akurang.

On 33 minutes Morecambe took the lead when the Bees unnecessarily conceded a corner, Garry Hunter's outswinger being powerfully headed into the net by David Artell,despite Cole's protestations at being baulked.

Barnet made the best response possible when moments later Akurang played the ball out wide to Albert Adomah, whose early cross was swept home by the predatory John O'Flynn to level the scores.

Having got themselves deservedly level Barnet were unable to use their equaliser as a platform to go on and win the match since Morecambe so very quickly reassumed the lead.

In the 38th minute the big striker Wayne Curtis saw off the challenge of both Devera and Ismail Yakubu on the edge of the box and his shot then took a deflection off of Yakubu's heel to wrong foot Cole.

In the second half Cole acrobatically kept out a Michael Twiss effort in a melee that followed a corner but a strong header from Akurang from a Devera cross almost brought the Bees level again.

Adam Birchall was introduced as a sub midway through the second half and it was his persistence that set up Yannick Bolasie with a golden opportunity from close range. The on-loan winger did not make a good connection and the chance was gone.

Of the two keepers Cole was called upon to make the better saves and although the Bees created the more clear-cut chances, and there were more of them, Barry Roche in the Shrimps goal was rarely called upon to produce anything out of the ordinary to keep the Bees at bay.

After two consecutive away fixtures Barnet now have two consecutive home fixtures, starting this Saturday against Lincoln City and the following Saturday against Darlington.

David Bloomfield.