New Barnet head coach Martin Allen admitted reaching the Skrill Premier play-offs will be tough for the Bees but is hoping “some magic will happen” before the end of the season.

Allen began his fourth spell in charge of Barnet with a 2-0 win against Hereford United at The Hive this afternoon.

Keanu Marsh-Brown scored both goals in the victory and the result ended the Bees’ run of four consecutive league defeats.

Allen accepted supporters would have been wary after his return to the club but explained: “It is nothing to do with me now it’s about backing the players, they’re the important ones.

“What anyone thinks of me is irrelevant. It is about the players, getting behind them and supporting their club.

“We need as many points as quickly as we can and hopefully some magic will happen.”

When asked if Barnet could secure a place in the play-offs, he replied: “It is going to be tough. To be absolutely honest with you, I haven’t really looked (at the table). All I know is we’ve got to do the best we can week in week out and day in day out.

“Everyone at the club needs to pull together and what will be, will be. We can’t control other clubs results, we can only do the best we can.”

Barnet were rarely troubled by the Bulls, who have not secured a league victory in their last 11 matches.

Allen was pleased with his side’s performance and praised the character of his players.

He said: “The performance was very good. The players were absolutely terrific. We’ve got a clean sheet and it was very windy and blustery.

“It was a good performance all round from the players, staff and the supporters. It wasn’t easy out there so it was a good display.

“We didn’t give them any chances. They were a little dangerous from set plays but fair play to Peter Beadle, he organised them really well.

“We’ve got two goals ahead though, defended it and did very well.”

He added: “There has been a good response from the players, as you could see today. I thought their attitude was spot on and we played some good football at times."