Barnet manager Martin Allen believes that his side deserved at least a point from their trip to Hartlepool, but that they need to be more ruthless in the future. 

Speaking after the Bees’ 1-1 draw at Victoria Park, Martin said: 

“They’re all hard games in this division, but I thought that we thoroughly deserved at least a point.

“We went 1-0 down completely against the run of play, after dominating the early part of the game.

“We had some very good chances down their end to go ahead.

“Then, following the pattern of many games they’ve scored against us – it was poor defending again. 

“But to be fair to the players, they buckled down and worked very hard.

“In the second half they played with a lot more self belief.

“Our goalkeeper did make a couple of good saves at crucial times, but when it was 1-1 I don’t know how we didn’t score more goals!

“That’s been the pattern of our season; we’ve not been ruthless enough in the final third, we’ve not defended well enough down the other end of the field.

“As we all know the two 18 yard boxes are the crucial key areas for all football teams, in all leagues.

“We haven’t done enough up front as a team, and we haven’t done enough as a defensive unit – I include all the players in that.

“But today we played very well, thoroughly deserved at least a point, and it was a good team effort on everyone’s part.   

“We’ve got to be more ruthless, but I’m pleased with the players.

“They’ve fought back well and shown a lot of courage and character – this group have got that in abundance.”