Paul Fairclough dropped leading scorer, Izale McLeod for the trip to Cheltenham this afternoon and went for five in midfield with Mark Hughes and Glen Southam coming back into the starting line up. New loan signing, Anthony Pulis was serving a three match ban after being sent off on his debut last Saturday at home to Torquay. John Dunleavy remained on the bench after agreeing a loan extension in midweek.
Barnet were the better of the first half creating a number of chances with Clovis Kamdjo in particular going close. But the Bees were unable to make the most of their opportunities in front of goal. Sam Deering, on loan from Oxford United, again looked impressive in midfield, while Mark Marshall was causing all sorts of problems for the home side. However, the first half remained goalless.
HT: Robins 0 Bees 0
Barnet should have gone ahead on the hour when Marshall put over a superb cross but Steve Kabba was unable to get the touch necessary to score. The Bees were meant to pay a minute later when Thomas put Cheltenham ahead following a defensive slip up by Jordan Parkes. The Bees’ full back almost made amends soon after when a real pile driver of a shot brought out a tremendous save from the Robins’ keeper, Scott Brown.
As the game wore on it looked as though the Bees weren’t going to get anything from the game at all, but with two minutes of stoppage time played, a Marshall free kick was headed home by Joe DEVERA for his first goal of the season to give the Bees a well deserved point.
FT: Robins 1 Bees 1
Barnet: Cole; Kamdjo, Devera, Uddin, Parkes; Hughes, Southam (McLeod 68), Fraser (Jarvis 80), Deering, Marshall; Kabba.
Subs not used: Coulson, Dunleavy, Cox, Vilhete, Stimson
Att: 2926