Nick Sandamas sees the Bees play out a goalless draw

Barnet 0 Oldham Athletic 0

Barnet lost ground on the top two following a goalless draw against the fifth-placed Latics which also ended the Bees’ 100% home record.

Danny Collinge made his first start of the season following injury and a couple of appearances off the bench in the only change from the previous Saturday’s defeat to Exeter City in the FA Cup.

The match was pretty even and it took until the 20th minute for the first opportunity to arise when a good cross field move and pass by Ryan Glover found Bailey Hobson tearing down on goal – but his sharp effort bought a good save from Latics’ keeper Matt Hudson whose legs blocked the ball.

Minutes later and the Latics had their first sight of the Bees goal but dangerman James Norwood was unable to get a telling touch.

As the game started to open up a bit, Idris Kanu found himself on the edge of the area but he ballooned his shot over the bar from Ben Coker’s cross.

Early in the second half Hobson played in Glover but he was unable to keep his shot down as the ball ended up behind the rubble behind the goal.

The Latics made three successive changes just short of the hour mark but this didn’t make much difference as the Bees continued to control proceedings.

And, in the final 10 minutes, the Bees carved out two more chances in an attempt to get that crucial winning goal.

First Anthony Hartigan let rip with an effort from 20 yards which bounced back off the bar and then Ryan Browne (back from injury) found himself in space just inside the area but his curling effort bought a flying save out of Hudson who pushed the ball behind for a corner.

Not the greatest of games, but a point each, the Bees remain third but now four and three points behind York City and Forest Green Rovers who meet next Saturday teatime.

Next Saturday, the Bees head to Dagenham & Redbridge (a ground where they have not had much luck in recent years). This is the perfect opportunity for the Bees to make up ground especially with the top two up against each other.

Team: Hayes, Coker (Stead 90 + 2), Oluwo, Collinge (Grimwood 77), Kenlock, Glover, Brunt (Browne 77), Hartigan (c), Hobson, Kabamba, Kanu

Not used: Bellagambi (GK), Rye, Clifford, Cropper

Attendance: 2230 (609 away fans)

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