A 97th minute goal from Andy Iro rescued a point for Barnet as the Bees secured a 2-2 draw away at Exeter City.

Two soft goals for the Grecians from Danny Coles and Scot Bennett put the home side ahead at the interval.

But, Barnet improved in the second period and pulled a goal back through Jon Nurse.

The Bees continued to push forward and in the 97th minute the ball dropped to Iro and he slotted home from close range to earn the Edgar Davids' side a point.

There were no changes to the Barnet side as Davids kept faith with the same starting XI which defeated Gillingham.

Barnet started the contest poorly and Exeter created several opportunities to go ahead. Bennett headed wide from a corner before Matt Oakley forced Stack into a good save at his near post.

Alan Gow then tamely shot over and Oakley missed two further chances to put the hosts ahead.

Barnet started to settle into the game and Iro saw a close range effort blocked and Barry Fuller forced Artur Krysiak into a comfortable stop.

However, Exeter continued to push forward and create the better opportunities. Former Barnet striker John O’Flynn headed into the net only for the assistant referee to rule the goal out for offside.

It proved only a temporary reprieve for the visitors as the Grecians went ahead on 33 minutes.

A corner, which was cheaply given away, was met by Coles and he headed past Graham Stack from six yards.

Exeter almost doubled their lead as Jimmy Keohane curled an effort just wide of the post but, just before the break, the home side did grab a second.

Another corner was met by Coles, but his header was blocked. The ball dropped to Bennett and he shot past Stack.

A change was needed and Andy Yiadom was replaced by Curtis Weston at the interval.

The Bees were much more solid in defence in the second period but they struggled to create clear opportunities to pull a goal back.

John Oster shot wide of the post as Barnet started to apply some pressure on the hosts defence.

Exeter did remain a threat when they attacked and Stack did well to parry a well struck shot from substitute Andy Dawson.

Barnet head coach Davids suffered an injury midway through the half and had to be substituted and treated in the dressing room.

Nurse was the Dutchman’s replacement and shortly after his introduction he pulled a goal back for the Bees.

A clever through pass from Oster found the Barbados international and his low shot across goal found the bottom corner.

Exeter were slightly rattled by the goal but came close to re-establishing their lead as Dawson shot narrowly wide from distance.

Barnet pushed forward in the closing stages but found it difficult to break down a stubborn home defence.

However, in the final minute of the game, the Bees drew level. Nurse crossed into the box and Hyde headed the ball down.

Iro took a touch, turned in the six yard box and shot past Kysiak to secure a point for the Bees.

Barnet return to Underhill on New Year’s Day as they welcome fellow League Two strugglers Aldershot Town.

Exeter City: Krysiak; Tully, Baldwin, Coles, Woodman; Sercombe (Dawson 53), Oakley, Bennett; Gow (Davies, 79), Keohane; O’Flynn (Cureton 83).

Exeter City substitutes: Evans, Davies, Cureton, Amankwaah, Dawson, Reid, Moore-Taylor.

Barnet: Stack: Fuller, Stephens, Iro, Johnson; Oster, Davids (Nurse 66), Byrne (Atieno, 91); Yiadom (Weston 45), Holmes, Hyde.

Barnet substitutes: Brown, Fortune, Nurse, Cowler, Weston, Kamdjo, Atieno.

Attendance: 4,085 (129).