Three second half goals gave Barnet a well deserved victory over an Aldershot side who come the final whistle look as dazed and confused and a boxer who had gone up a weight and found the going tough.
All victories are sweet, but given the length of time we have gone without the taste, this was ambrosia served on a silver salver.
Ian Hendon kept faith with the same back four that played at Notts County with Jake Hyde and John O'Flynn the strikers who were paired together.
Barnet started from the first on the front foot and threatened to take an early lead when an Albert Jarrett delivery fell to Jake Hyde whose headed effort went wide of the mark.
On 25 minutes the visitors nearly took the lead when a cross from Lewis Chalmers found Marvin Morgan, but the bean-pole striker put his header over the bar when well positioned and unmarked.
As the first half ended the Shots had pushed the Bees back and had enjoyed a large slice of possession and territorial advantage, but crucially they did not have a goal to their name for their efforts.
Anthony Charles miscued an opportunity after Jake Cole had pushed wide of the target an effort from Chalmers early in the second half, but from then on the Bees collectively upped the pace and tempo.
Albert Adomah set up the first goal in the 55th minute. Choosing to go past his opponent on the outside he managed to get his foot round the ball to whip in a tempting delivery. Micah Hyde, advancing from midfield, was there to head the ball with aplomb into the net like a seasoned striker.
Eight minutes later the Bees were two up. Mark Hughes won a tackle on the edge of the opponent's box with the ball falling to O'Flynn whose predatory instincts prompted him to toe poke the ball past the Shots flailing keeper. Suddenly a victory had appeared on the horizon.
With five minutes remaining Jarrett switched play to the left and found new-boy David Livermore on the left flank, his centre was met by the head of O'Flynn, the seasoned striker finding the back of the net with a fine downward header.
Points in the bag, Barnet played out the closing minutes knowing that a long awaited victory was to be theirs and any apprehension about the outcome had completely vanished.
The defence held firm, marshalled by Gary Breen and his eager lieutenant Joe Devera with the full backs Kenny Gillet and the accurate long passing out of defence by Matt Lockwood performing to a high standard. This was a good all round team display in which each segment of the team fully played their part.
The Bees travel to Salop to face Shrewsbury Town on Tuesday.
David Bloomfield