Enzio Boldewijn opened the scoring inside the first 10 minutes before Callum Reynolds’ header levelled proceedings going into the break.

However, it was to be the visitors who came away with maximum points after Simeon Akinola bagged his third consecutive goal with 15 minutes remaining.

The Bees made one change from the side that drew 1-1 with Sutton United on Tuesday night, welcoming Ricardo Santos back to the starting line-up in place of Dan Sparkes. As for the hosts, they made two switches following their home draw with Stockport County in mid-week.

The visitors piled on the pressure in the opening stages, but it was the Magpies who broke the dead-lock with only eight minutes on the clock. Boldewijn found space and let rip from distance, nestling the top right corner of Scott Loach’s net.

Up the other end, James Dunne won a free-kick on the edge of the area, Jack Taylor stepped up and dipped the ball just over the top right corner of Sam Slocombe’s net.

The Bees’ number seven was in the thick of it again on 24 minutes. After a ball was played over to him at the far post, his delivery back across goal was dangerous but he couldn’t find an end product.

However, Barnet did find an equaliser four minutes later after a corner was nodded on to Reynolds who headed home.

Loach was then called into action moments later after Jim O’Brien let rip from distance, but the shot-stopper had everything under control and calmly caught the effort.

In the final stages of the first half, the Bees nearly conceded a penalty after Harry Taylor brought down O’Brien in the box, but the referee pointed for a goal-kick.

Moments later, the whistle blew for half-time, bringing an end to a very positive first 45 minutes for the Bees.

Barnet started off the second period on the front foot and won a corner after clever work from Ephron Mason-Clark. Medy Elito whipped it in from the left and the ball found the head of Akinola who lost his man but his nod fell wide of the post.

With 57 minutes on the clock, Ben Turner latched on to a free-kick but his header looped over the bar.

County substitute Kristian Dennis then found space on the edge of the box before hitting low and hard but his effort was well saved by Loach who dived to his right.

Straight after, the Bees broke and their attacking play ended with James Dunne blasting the ball into the gloves of Slocombe from the edge of the area.

Cheye Alexander then did well to sprint down the right before pinging a ball into Jack Taylor but the midfielder hit the ball high and wide.

However, the Bees did turn the game on its head moments later after Akinola was fed through on goal by Mason-Clark before the number 14 neatly chipped the ball over Slocombe.

It proved to be a quiet end to the game but Barnet didn’t mind as they managed to see out the victory.

Darren Currie’s side turn their attentions to Tuesday night as they welcome Dover Athletic to The Hive London.

 

Barnet: Loach, Alexander, Santos, Reynolds (C), Tutonda, Dunne, H.Taylor, J.Taylor, Elito (Johnson), Mason-Clark (Sparkes), Akinola (Coulthirst).

Unused Subs: Matrevics, Boucaud.

Attendance: 4096 (155 Barnet)