Barnet manager, Ian Hendon’s side was hit by injuries for today’s game at Valley Parade, but Gary Breen returned at centre back to replace Clovis Kamdjo and Kenny Gillet moved to centre back to replace the suspended Daniel Leach. In midfield, Barnet player with five players, Micah Hyde and David Livermore returning from injury and Albert Jarrett restored to the side. Mark Hughes dropped to the bench and Jake Hyde missed the game through injury leaving Paul Furlong alone up front. John O’Flynn failed to make the squad.
Barnet had the better of the early exchanges, having a number of efforts on goal as well as some of target and had the majority of possession. The Bees finally took the lead on 28 minutes though Albert ADOMAH who scored following a long clearance by Jake Cole.
Barnet certainly had the better of the first half with 7 shots on target, though the Bantams did come into the game a little bit after Adomah scored. But at half time, the Bees were ahead.
HT: Bantams 0 Bees 1
Bradford City had more of the second half and were pushing the Bees back and looking more like scoring than the visitors. News coming through that Torquay were beating Grimsby 3-0 meant a win for the Bees would ensure safety but on 78 minutes, substitute, Luke O’Brien equalised for City with a shot from inside the penalty area.
Barnet hearts were broken, three minutes into time added on when O’Brien’s cross was headed home by Flynn who looked very much offside. It was a difficult blow for the Bees who for long periods of the game looked like coming away with a point at least. Grimsby’s 3-0 defeat at home to Torquay means that Barnet remain seven points ahead of the Mariners, with a game in hand. The Mariners have just three games left. Next Saturday, Barnet are at home to Rotherham, while Grimsby travel to Darlington.
FT: Bantams 2 Bees 1
Bradford City: McLaughlan; Rehman, Williams, Bateson, Threlfall; Bullock, J. O’Brien (Flynn 58), Grant (L O’Brien 74), Bolder; Evans, Osborne
Barnet: Cole; Devera, Breen, Gillet, Lockwood; Adomah (O’Neill 89), M Hyde, Livermore, Upson (Deverdics 84), Jarrett; Furlong.
Att: 11,138