Nick Sandamas sees the Bees return to winning ways at The Hive
Barnet 2 Accrington Stanley 1
Barnet got back to winning ways following a run of three straight draws after coming back from a half time deficit to beat ten man Accrington Stanley at The Hive yesterday.
The Bees victory came thanks to former Birmingham City academy product Charlie Lakin’s brace and saw them return to the top of the League Two table.
Dean Brennan stuck with the same starting eleven following last weekend’s thrilling 3-3 draw at Chesterfield.
The game was only two minutes old when there was a potential penalty shout for the Bees as Lakin went down under a challenge from Josh Woods but the referee wasn’t interested.
It was the Lancashire side who created the first real opportunity on Matt Cox’s goal in the thirteen minute goal when skipper Shaun Whalley produced a shot which forced the Barnet custodian to make a save.
Just a minute later and Stanley had another chance on goal but Devon Matthews could only guide his header over following Whalley’s cross.
Twenty minutes were played before the Bees fashioned a chance but, from Tom Knowles cross into the box, Lakin’s effort unfortunately went over.
Then, in the 27th minute, an unforced error allowed Stanley to lead.
A back header by Adam Senior ended up at the feet of Charlie Caton (who had come back from an offside position), he ran towards goal and proceeded to produce a delicate chip over Cox and into the net to leave the Bees still waiting for their first clean sheet of the season.
Oisin Gallagher stung the palms of keeper Louie Moulden just after the half hour mark with a fine save which in turn came off Connor O’Brien for a corner.
Stanley got to the interval with their lead still intact.
Spurs loanee Damola Ajayi came on for his home debut at the start of the second half to inject more fire on the wing and, on 57 minutes, it paid off as he was involved in the goal that pulled his Bees side level.
He started the move on the right flank with a ball to Senior who then played a delightful ball across the six yard box for Lakin to blast it high into the net for the equalising goal.
The Bees made a couple of changes soon after the hour with Romany Crichlow coming on for his first action of the season and Jake Reeves, who soon after was in the thick of the action with his free kicks causing danger for the Stanley rearguard.
And, on 72 minutes, the comeback was complete with Lakin again on the mark.
Kabongo Tshimanga (looking suspiciously offside) played the ball into the box towards Stanley’s former Bees defender David Tutonda who inadvertently headed the ball against his own post and Lakin pounced with a low shot which squirmed under the body of Moulden for the Solihull born midfielder’s fifth goal in only his sixth game for the club since joining in the summer from Walsall.
However, just 90 seconds after the Bees went in front, Stanley’s task was made even harder when a lunge by Matthews on Lakin saw him handed a straight red card.
It was the Bees who went in search of a third goal to give them daylight and, with two minutes of normal time left, Ajayi came close with a strong run but the shot went the wrong side of the post.
So with the leaders at the start of play Bristol Rovers losing against Grimsby, the Bees’ victory returned them to the top on goal difference.
They continue their home comforts next Saturday when seventh placed Fleetwood Town visit The Hive with the black and amber looking to continue their long unbeaten league run which has produced ten wins and five draws since early March, a new EFL club record.
Team: Cox, Senior, Collinge, Williams, Comley, Ofoborh (Ajayi 45), Knowles (Crichlow 62), Lakin, Gallagher (Reeves 62), Tshimanga (Maskell 87), Kanu (Noel-Williams 87)
Subs not used: Haramlambous, Wright
Attendance 1990 (78 away fans)
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