A late goal from Joe Payne earned Barnet’s Under-21s a 1-1 draw against AFC Wimbledon and another point in their Central League Cup campaign.

Chances were thin on the ground in a fiercely-competitive first half which saw AFC Wimbledon have two strikes ruled out by the linesman’s flag.

Barnet saw an early penalty appeal turned down when Trialist darted across the Dons keeper only to have his legs taken away.

However, the visitors were denied a few minutes later when their left-back snuck in at the back post to score with a diving header which was immediately chalked off.

The Bees’ best move of the first half was started by Dan Sweeney. The January addition from Maidstone United whipped the ball out wide to Justin Amaluzor who rolled the ball cleverly into the path of Harry Taylor but he fired over.

Just before half time Wimbledon had a second goal disallowed when their number four tucked home a cross from the offside number nine.

Barnet began the second half brightly and might have been ahead inside five minutes. 

Amaluzor did well to hassle the Wimbledon left-back into conceding possession before sliding the ball into the path of Trialist who lost his footing at the crucial moment.

David Tutonda was next to go close, barging his way through a throng of Dons defenders and whipping agonisingly over the crossbar on the run.

Instead, it was Wimbledon who took the lead in the 68th minute. A cross from Jayden Antwi across the face of goal left Judah Chapman with the simple task of bundling home on the line.

It looked like staying that way, especially when Amaluzor’s pin-point cross from the left was nodded wide by Taylor from a good position.

But Dean Selvey’s side refused to give up and, with three minutes remaining, drew level.

Patient build-up down the left saw Payne released into the penalty area and he drilled low into the far corner to rescue a point for the Bees.

Barnet: K. McKenzie-Lyle; Pascal, Day, Payne, Tutonda; H. Taylor (C), Watson, Sweeney (Coker); Amaluzor, Trialist (Shomotun), Cojocarel (Trialist).