Before the game had even started, the Bees knew they were in for a tough test at the Wham Stadium with the pitch’s playability in question just hours before kick off. 

The game was a scrappy affair from the get go, with both sides struggling to play any real football on the battered turf. Bees wingers Jamal Campbell-Ryce and Mauro Vilhete were both unable to unleash the full extent of their game as they wrestled with the boggy pitch. 

Skipper Michael Nelson’s half volley from inside the 18 yard box was the only real Barnet attempt on goal in the first 20 minutes. 

Scoring opportunities were hard to come by in the early stages and it wasn’t until the 29th minute that the goalmouth saw some action with Stanley defender Matty Pearson hitting the crossbar from a Sean McConville corner.

The Bees’ first real threat on the Stanley goal came in first-half stoppage time when Mauro Vilhete’s effort was saved by Stanley goalkeeper Marek Rodak following a fine piece of skill from the Bees winger. 

Attack then turned into defence as the Bees resorted to some last ditch defending, Michael Nelson blocking a strike from Sean McConville just before the half-time whistle.

The Bees started the second half with purpose and looked positive going forward. Winger Jamal Campbell-Ryce had his chip saved as the Bees slowly began to build confidence. 

But on 55 minutes the deadlock was broken when Shay McCartan fired his 20-yard free-kick into the top corner, following a foul on Billy Kee on the edge of the box.

The Bees pressed for an equaliser, with leading goalscorer John Akinde and defender Bira Dembele both having attempts cleared off the line in the dying moments. 

Despite the narrow loss, the Bees still have plenty of positives to take in to their next match.

Next up for the Bees is Crawley Town at The Hive on March 11th, kick off 3pm. 

Full time score, Accrington Stanley 1-0 Barnet. 

Attendance: 1236.