A Ricky Holmes hat-trick helped Barnet to an important three points as the Bees secured a 3-2 victory over Burton Albion.

A Billy Kee penalty had put the Brewers ahead but shortly before the break the Bees levelled through Holmes.

Barnet improved dramatically after the interval and Holmes fired in from the spot before completing his hat-trick.

Jacques Maghoma scored a late consolation for the Brewers but the Bees hung on to claim an important three points.

There were two changes made to the Barnet line-up as Mark Byrne and Andy Iro started in place of Jon Nurse and Krystian Pearce – whose loan at Underhill has ended.

After an even start to the contest, the visitors went ahead. Maghoma cut into the Bees area only for Barry Fuller to trip the winger.

The referee awarded a penalty and Kee, who scored a hat-trick on his previous visit to Underhill, fired confidently past Graham Stack.

Burton took control of the game after going ahead and Maghoma continued to create chances. He forced Stack into a good stop from long range.

The Brewers looked likely to add to their advantage and Stack prevented Cleveland Taylor’s effort from finding the bottom corner with a low save.

Barnet offered little in attack throughout the half but four minutes before the break they levelled the contest.

Albion goalkeeper Dean Lyness failed to clear a routine backpass, the ball rebounded into the path of Holmes and he coolly skipped past Lyness before sliding the ball home.

Burton should have retaken the lead before the interval but Zander Diamond smashed over from 12 yards before Kee sent an effort wide of the post.

The Bees made a change at the interval with Clovis Kamdjo replaced in midfield by John Oster.

Barnet began the second period brightly and Holmes, who’d moved infield to join Jake Hyde in attack, caused the Burton central defenders several problems.

Soon after the restart, the Bees went ahead.

A short corner allowed Elliot Johnson to cross and the ball struck an arm in the box.

For the second time in the game the referee pointed to the penalty spot and Holmes smashed the ball past Lyness.

The Bees didn’t sit back on their advantage and, although Burton looked threatening when they attacked, Barnet moved the ball at pace and created chances.

A fine pass from Oster allowed Andy Yiadom space on the wing. He beat his opposition defender and sent a low cross into the box.

The ball struck a defender but dropped into the path of Holmes and he slotted in to seal his hat-trick.

Burton almost immediately hit back as Stack tipped a Diamond header over the crossbar before Yiadom came inches away from converting a Johnson cross.

The Brewers continued to hit long passes into the Barnet box but the Bees defended resolutely to keep the visitors at bay.

In second half stoppage time Maghoma pulled a second goal back for Burton from the penalty spot but it proved nothing more than a consolation and the Bees took victory to temporarily move off the bottom of the League Two table.

Barnet are next in action on Boxing Day as the travel to League Two leaders Gillingham.

Barnet: Stack; Fuller, Iro, Stephens, Johson; Kamdjo (Oster 45), Davids (Weston 69), Byrne; Yiadom, Holmes (Nurse 88), Hyde.

Barnet substitutes: Cowler, Brown, Fortune, Nurse, Oster, Weston, Barker.

Burton Albion: Lyness; Diamond, Taylor, Weir, Zola, McCrory, Maghoma, O’Connor, Holness, Dyer, Kee (Richards 69).

Burton Albion substitutes: Atkins, Webster, Stanton, McCrath, Richards, Palmer, Paterson.
Attendance: 1,751.