Hereford United guaranteed at least second place in the Nationwide Conference and kept the pressure on leaders Chester with their eighth successive win.
They took the lead in the 38th minute with a deflected strike from Scott Willis and sealed victory with a 75th penalty from skipper Tony James.
But equally crucial to Hereford's success was a brilliant penalty save by goalkeeper Matt Baker, who dived to keep out Ian Hendon's spot-kick which might have levelled the scores on 61 minutes.
Openings were at a premium in the first period with few chances at either end before Simon Travis and Rob Purdie set up a shooting chance for Willis, whose well-struck 25-yarder struck Matt Redmile on its way into the net to give Shane Gore in the visitors goal little chance.
Leading scorer Steve Guinan had a great chance to open up a two-goal lead five minutes after the break, but Gore was quickly off his line to block at the expense of a corner.
But Barnet, whose attack was well controlled by the Hereford defence, were handed an unexpected lifeline when Andy Tretton was adjudged to have impeded Redmile and referee Rob Lewis pointed to the spot.
Baker, however, came to the rescue and soon after it was Hereford's turn to get a penalty when Lewis decided Chris Plummer had shoved Guinan as both challenged for a Ryan Green cross.
James showed how a penalty should be taken for his eighth spot-kick success of the season.
There was still time for referee Lewis to send off Willis for his second yellow card, but Hereford held on comfortably for their win.
"We keep winning our games and that's all we can do to keep the pressure on Chester," said James, sporting four stitches on his chin from an unpunished first-half challenge from Guy Lopez.