Barnet have started with the same line up as on Tuesday at Cheltenham. New loan signings, Calum Butcher and Dean Sinclair are on the bench. However, Craig McAllister is not in the squad, presumably Exeter City have not given him clearance. Dean Bouzanis, on loan from Liverpool, is on the bench for Accrington.
Jake Cole was called on to save from Michael Symes as early as the 4th minute. Paul Furlong and Micah Hyde had efforts which went wide of goal. Accrington continued to press forward and after 29 minutes they went ahead when Robert Grant scored with a shot from inside the penalty area.
On 36 minutes, Accrington striker, John Miles was sent off for a foul on Ahmed Deen. Three minutes from the end, Accrington goalkeeper, Ian Dunbavin had to go off and he was replaced by Bouzanis, who was making his debut for Accrington. Just before half time, Bouzanis saved well from Albert Jarrett.
HT: Accrington 1 Barnet 0
Barnet equalised after just two minutes of the second half, Ismail YAKUBU heading home from an Albert Jarrett cross. However, three minutes later, Michael Symes fired home from the edge of the box to put the home side ahead again.
On 55 minutes, Nicky Deverdics replaced Micah Hyde, who had been booked shortly before. Eight minutes later, Albert Adomah replaced Yannick Bolasie. Barnet began to put a lot of pressure on the home side but John O’Flynn missed a very good opportunity to score and as time ticked away, Albert Adomah was brought down in the penalty area but the referee waved away claims for a penalty. Yakubu and Mark Hughes went close as the Bees frantically searched for an equaliser to keep them in the competition.
To the disbelief of the home fans, six minutes of injury time was added on and with three of them gone, Jake Hyde was fouled in the penalty area by Dean Winnard and this time, a penalty was given. John O’FLYNN expertly slotted it home for ninth goal of the season to give the Bees, a late, late draw and a replay at Underhill on December 8th. It also means that Barnet go into the draw tomorrow for the 3rd round, when, of course, every Bees’ fan will be hoping that Barnet draw a big Premiership club.
So, finally an end to Barnet’s long run of away defeats, even though they left it so late. Hopefully, this will give the side a bit more confidence now to push on and we’ll see a return to form in the league as well.
FT: Accrington 2 Barnet 2
Accrington: Dunbavin (Bouzanis 42); Kempson, Edwards, Winnard, Lees (Murphy 86); Procter, Grant, Ryan, McConville; Miles, Symes.
Barnet: Cole; Deen, Yakubu, Leach (Hyde 79), Gillet; Bolasie (Adomah 63), M Hyde (Deverdics 55) Hughes, Jarrett; O’Flynn, Furlong.
Att: 1501