Edgar Davids was sent off again and Carl Fletcher was also dismissed as Barnet were beaten 2-1 at Salisbury City.

Chris McPhee scored the opening goal for the home side but Jake Hyde’s near-post flick levelled the contest.

In the second period Fletcher brought down Theo Lewis in the penalty area and was shown a red card for a professional foul.

Jamie White dispatched the spot kick and it soon got worse for Barnet as Davids was dismissed after being shown a second yellow for reacting angrily to a challenge from Angus McDonald.

Despite late pressure from the Bees, they suffered their second defeat in the Skrill Premier in the space of three days.

There were five changes to the side which started the Boxing Day loss against Luton Town. In came Dani Lopez, Keanu Marsh-Brown, Edgar Davids, Fletcher and Mauro Vilhete.

They replaced Luisma Villa, Kieran Cadogan, Andy Yiadom and the suspended Jon Nurse and Jack Saville.

Salisbury were the brighter of the two teams in the opening minutes and Stuart Sinclair forced Graham Stack into a reflex near post stop.

Despite their numerous changes, Barnet’s formation remained 4-5-1. However, Lopez drifted inside too often which unbalanced the shape of the side.

Salisbury looked threatening and Lewis had a header deflected wide before former Bee Clovis Kamdjo blocked a goal-bound effort from McPhee.

The midfielder wasn’t to be denied and he put the hosts ahead 17th minute. Davids conceded a free kick and was booked. The resultant delivery was met by McPhee and his header left Stack motionless.

It was a lead Salisbury deserved but they were only momentarily ahead. Barnet had reacted positively to going behind and Marsh-Brown had a shot saved by Willem Puddy.

From their next attack, the Bees drew level. Curtis Weston broke from midfield before passing to Marsh-Brown. The winger moved down the flank and crossed for Hyde who cleverly flicked the ball past Puddy.

The Bees then took control, although Salisbury did threaten through Lewis and Kamdjo.

Marsh-Brown curled a shot wide when he should have squared to Lopez and Vilhete surged forward from full-back before his low effort was pushed clear.

Kamdjo, who was playing in an advanced midfield role, had the final chance of the half as he broke into the area but his strike only found the side netting.

The interval had halted Barnet’s momentum and they struggled to recapture it in the second period.

Salisbury’s direct passing was effective and they worked their way into the Bees’ defensive third on several occasions. However, they were unable to create a clear chance as the final pass was often wayward.

Barnet began to gain some control as the half progressed and they should have gone ahead just after the hour mark.

Marsh-Brown sprinted clear and his low shot across goal was palmed to Hyde. The striker was only two yards out but couldn’t get a clean connection on the rebound and his effort struck the post and bounced out.

Tyler Harvey then sent a shot from 20 yards wide for the home side who looked more confident as the half progressed.

With just under 15 minutes remaining, Barnet were reduced to ten men for the second time in three days.

A long pass forward saw Lewis get in behind Fletcher and the defender collided with the attacker. The referee pointed to the penalty spot and dismissed the Bees centre-back.

White stepped up from 12 yards and confidently fired past Stack to put the hosts ahead for the second time.

Barnet looked to hit back immediately and Davids broke forward. The Dutchman was halted by a strong challenge from McDonald and the defender then berated Davids.

Barnet’s player/head coach reacted and appeared to kick out at McDonald, although minimal contact was made. Inevitably a second yellow card followed and the Bees were down to nine men.

Despite have two less players, Barnet threatened and Marsh-Brown powered his way into the penalty area and his shot was deflected wide.

Stack came forward for the corner but the ball was cleared to Harvey. He manoeuvred his way past Elliot Johnson and sent an effort towards goal from the half way line. Fortunately for the Bees, it drifted past the post.

Salisbury were not under pressure in the final moments and managed to see out the game comfortably.

Barnet: Stack; Vilhete (Crawford 87), Fletcher, Stephens, Johnson; Davids, Byrne (Gambin 84), Weston (Acheampong 87); Marsh-Brown, Lopez, Hyde.

Barnet substitutes: Abdulla, Jupp.

Salisbury City: Puddy, Hart (White 72) Brett, Clarke, Wilson, McPhee, Wellard (Harvey 59), Lewis, Kamdjo (Feeney 92), Sinclair, MacDonald.

Salisbury substitutes: Bittner, Battipiedi.