Telford United 1 Barnet 2

Last updated : 13 December 2003 By Footymad Previewer

Barnet moved into the top three of the Nationwide Conference after inflicting only Telford's second defeat in 12 games.

Goals in a five-minute spell either side of half time by on-loan midfielder Geoff Pitcher and the league's leading marksmen, Giuliano Grazioli, secured the three points for the Bees.

The visitors started brightly and, despite the early loss of Simon King through injury, could have been ahead in the first ten minutes. Liam Hatch looped a shot onto the roof of the net following a powerful left-wing run, while Ben Strevens forced Chris MacKenzie into the first save of the match with a 20-yard effort.

But it was Telford who went ahead after 14 minutes. Christian Moore's shot was cleared off the line by Mark Rooney, but Sam Ricketts picked up the loose ball and squared to Lee Mills who made no mistake from close range.

The goal appeared to fire the Bucks into action and Robin Hulbert and Michael Blackwood both went close with long-range efforts.

But Barnet remained a threat on the break and substitute Ismail Yakubu should have done better when he fired a shot straight at MacKenzie from 15 yards.

Pitcher and Graziloi both went close in the run-up to half time, but the Bees got a deserved equaliser in the last of four minutes injury time at the end of the first half.

A right-wing cross from skipper Ian Hendon found Pitcher in space and the midfielder produced an acrobatic overhead kick from 15 yards to level the scores.

And Barnet completed an amazing turnaround five minutes after the break when Shane Gore's long goal kick was flicked on by Hatch to set Grazioli clear and the prolific marksmen made no mistake as he stroked the ball past MacKenzie from the edge of the box.

Telford huffed and puffed in the final 30 minutes but failed to create any real clear cut chances, Ricketts going closest to an equaliser with a 25-yard half-volley.

Substitute Tony Taggart should have sealed it for the visitors when he broke clear in the last minute, but not even an excellent save from MacKenzie could prevent the Bucks slipping to defeat.