A headed equalising goal from skipper Mark Hughes in the second half set up an intriguing 2nd leg of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy Southern Area Final at the County Ground; currently scheduled for 7 February. A good crowd of nearly 4,000, a result of an inventive pricing policy, saw an entertaining match
Manager Lawrie Sanchez selected an unchanged line-up from the Bristol Rovers home victory some ten days ago.
From the first this was a good quality cup-tie with both sides enjoying periods of dominance.
Barnet's approach play was of a good standard with the ball being used intelligently, but not on every occasion was the final ball good enough to trouble the well-drilled Swindon defence.
Aden Flint, a man-mountain of a defender for the Robins, had a good game at the heart of their defence with Izale McLeod having one of his quietest games for the Bees.
Simon Ferry burst from midfield and with the Barnet defence opening up infront of him he progressed to the edge of the penalty area before his shot flashed the other side of the far post.
Michael Hector and Paul Downing were having sterling games for the Bees, with both capable of winning headers, making well-timed interceptions and delivering good long passes out of defence.
Danny Senda had been having a cracking game at right-back but misfortune would strike with half-time looming.
Chasing back he fell awkwardly and immediately signalled to the bench that something painful was afoot. After some delay he was stretchered off, and was subsequently taken by ambulance to hospital and his season is now over. In a matter of minutes Barnet were behind.
Perhaps with the minds of the players on their injured colleague Barnet allowed the ball to spend too much time in their own penalty box before Flint powered a header home from close range.
The injury to Senda caused major re-organisation. Charlie Taylor came on and joined McLeod upfront, Ricky Holmes dropped to right-side midfield, Sam Deering moved to central midfield with Clovis Kamdjo slotting in at right-back.
In the second half the Bees took time to get back into their stride with Swindon looking to extend their lead, Flint coming close and Dean Brill performing well when called upon.
On 72 minutes the Bees drew level. The hard-grafting Hughes who had manfully continued after receiving his fair share of bumps and bruises got his head to a Mark Marshall delivery and he fairly leap for joy when he saw the ball land in the net.
Barnet then went pushing for a winner but as the game entered its final stages both sides seemed content with a 1-1 scoreline which certainly keeps the tie alive, what with Barnet's good away cup pedigree this season and the slim likelihood that McLeod can be kept so quiet.
The Bees left the field to cheers, acknowledgement of their considerable efforts to keep the tie alive, after overcoming the loss of Senda and being a goal behind at half-time. The Bees are at Accrington on Saturday.
David Bloomfield