Barnet have played better than they did at York City. There’s no doubt about that. But points are important at this stage of the season and the Bees collected all three after a hard-fought 2-1 win.

Edgar Davids’ side went behind early into the game after a combination of Michael Rankine and David Stephens diverted the ball into the corner from a free-kick.

The Bees were level before the break as Andy Yiadom bundled the ball over the line from close range and in a tight second period, Jake Hyde came off the bench and fired home the winner from the edge of the box.

Barnet ended the game with just nine men due to injury but they battled their way to a very important victory.

Craig Beattie and Chiro N’Toko made their debuts for the Bees in place of Hyde and Andy Iro while Jordan Brown started at left-back instead of Elliot Johnson.

Barnet began the contest poorly and John McGrath forced Graham Stack into an early save after his corner almost drifted into the far corner.

It was a warning the Bees failed to take notice of and on seven minutes the Minstermen went ahead.

A McGrath free-kick into the penalty area struck Stephens and the ball rolled into the corner of the net. The hosts credited the opener to Rankine but it was an own goal.

Going behind seemed to spur Barnet into action and they began to control possession – although Stack did well to push away a Matty Blair shot at his near post.

Beattie struggled to make an impact in the opening 45 minutes and his only effort on goal was easily saved by Michael Ingham.

Barnet continued to dominant possession but their equaliser came from a set-piece.

The influential John Oster whipped a free-kick into the Minstermen’s area. The cross struck a defender before Yiadom scrambled the ball over the line.

It was a deserved equaliser for Barnet and they remained on the attack for the rest of the first period but failed to create a second clear chance.

In stoppage time the Bees did come close. Oster crossed from a corner and Yiadom rose well to clip a header just wide of the post.

Davids decided to make a change at the interval with Johnson on in place of Brown for the second period.

Barnet started the second half confidently and Jon Nurse almost put the Bees ahead after a clever turn allowed him room to shoot but his effort was just wide of the post.

York had more possession in the second period but struggled to fashion a clear chance to test Stack. Curtis Obeng did force the Bees goalkeeper into a save from distance but it was a routine stop.

The hosts had improved on the ball and several crosses into the Bees box were just out of reach of the attackers Barnet looked threatening on the counter and Hyde, introduced in place of Beattie, pressured the York defence into errors.

The Bees managed to capitalise on a mistake to take the lead with 17 minutes remaining.

Hyde received a pass from Oster but was held up by two defenders. It seemed the chance had gone but the striker curled his shot towards the corner. Ingham got a hand on the strike but the ball struck the post and rolled over the line.

Barnet dropped deeper after going ahead and York applied pressure. But Stack remained largely untroubled in the Bees goal.

Three minutes before full time, a long pass forward was cleared by substitute Bondz N’Gala but he suffered a head injury and landed on Nurse.

The duo were both forced off and Barnet had to defend seven minutes added time with just nine men.

There would be just one clear chance for the hosts and it fell to Chris Smith. He flicked the ball on from close range but his header struck the bar and Barnet held on to claim a much deserved three points.

The Bees will look to build on this victory when they welcome Rochdale United to Underhill next week. York City: Ingham; Parslow, Smith, O'Connell, Fyfield; Obeng, Kerr (Everson 77), McGrath; Chambers (Rodman 55), Blair, Rankine (Walker 68).

York City substitutes: Musselwhite, Walker, Potts, Everson, McLaughlin, Allan, Rodman.

Barnet: Stack; Fuller, Stephens, N'Toko (N’Gala), Brown (Johnson 45); Byrne, Davids, Oster; Nurse, Yiadom; Beattie (Hyde 65).

Barnet substitutes: Kamdjo, Hyde, Weston, Johnson, Barnes, Lopez, N'Gala.

Attendance: 3954 (311)