Barnet have been relegated from the Football League.

A 2-0 defeat against Northampton Town and Wimbledon’s 2-1 victory over Fleetwood Town saw the Bees slip into the relegation zone on the final day of the season.

Goals from Roy O’Donovan and Luke Guttridge did the damage at Sixfields. Barnet battled bravely but couldn’t save themselves.

Any relegation has a big impact on a club. But with the Bees moving into a new stadium, and a new borough, next season remaining in the Football League was essential.

Going into the game Barnet knew a win would ensure survival but they started a little nervously. Northampton created the first chance and it was one they should have scored.

A clever pass put Jake Robinson through on goal. He took a touch to steady himself but his placed finish was pushed wide by Graham Stack.

The Bees responded with their first shot on goal. Elliot Johnson worked his way past a defender before his cut back was met by Mark Byrne. The midfielder sent his effort towards goal but it nestled in the side netting.

The game settled after a frantic opening and Barnet started to pass the ball well but failed to penetrate the Cobblers' defence.

Jake Hyde worked tirelessly in his role as the Bees lone striker and he created the visitors' best opportunity to break the deadlock in the opening 45 minutes.

Hyde collected a pass and chipped the ball past the Northampton defence for Keanu Marsh-Brown.

The winger sprinted onto the pass and was one-on-one with goalkeeper Lee Nicholls. He elected to shoot and his effort was saved. Marsh-Brown should have squared the ball to the unmarked Luke Gambin.

Barnet were the better side in the first half but went into the interval level. The Bees remained outside of the relegation zone.

Northampton started the second period brightly but didn’t threaten the Barnet goal. Stack had yet to be troubled.

The Bees continued to move the ball well through their midfield and Gambin’s close control caused Ben Tozer countless problems.

Barnet came close to going ahead ten minutes after the restart. Johnson fired a cross into the area and it flew over the goalkeeper and struck the crossbar.

On the hour Wimbledon went ahead. Barnet dropped into the relegation zone. A minute later Fleetwood levelled at Wimbledon. The Bees were out of the relegation zone. Nerves were rattled.

It hadn’t transcended onto the pitch as Edgar Davids’ side were seemingly unaffected by the pressure.

However, on 67 minutes, Northampton went ahead. A clever through pass was met by O’Donovan and he slotted past Stack.

Wimbledon then took the lead against Fleetwood. Barnet were in the relegation zone.

Six minutes later Northampton added a second. The ball was played out to Guttridge and he fired into the bottom corner.

Barnet struggled to create any opportunities to reduce the deficit. The goal had knocked the Bees confidence and belief. 

The travelling supporters were praying for a Fleetwood equaliser. It didn’t come.

The full time whistle blew at Sixfields. Barnet were relegated.

You could argue it had been coming for four years. The Bees have pushed their luck time and time again.

On this occasion their luck ran out.

Northampton Town: Nicholls; Tozer, Cameron, Carlisle, Collins; Harding, Guttridge (Dias 76), Moyo (Akinfenwa 56); Robinson, Hornby; O'Donovan.

Northampton Town substitutes: Johnson, Hackett, Snedker, Wilson, Moult.

Barnet: Stack; Yiadom, Flanagan, Stephens, Johnson; Byrne (Crawford 75), Weston, Davids; Marsh-Brown (Nurse 65), Gambin; Hyde (Vose 87).

Barnet substitutes: Kamdjo; Fuller, Oster, Kuipers.