Peter Murphy’s stunning second-half strike was enough to see Barnet to a 1-0 defeat against Wycombe Wanderers in their final pre-season friendly.

Former Accrington Stanley midfielder Murphy got the game’s only goal with 20 minutes remaining, firing past Graham Stack in the Bees goal from fully 30 yards to open his account for the Chairboys in memorable fashion.

The starting XI included an unnamed trialist, with captain Charlie MacDonald and John Akinde paired together up front.

Elliott Johnson and Mauro Vilhete were at full-back, with the newly-signed Sam Togwell in the centre of midfield with Curtis Weston.

Goalkeeper Sam Cowler was the only player not contracted to the Bees named amongst the substitutes as Allen named a strong side for his side's final warm-up fixture ahead of next weekend's season opener at Chester.

Barnet had the game’s first chance and should arguably have been ahead when man-mountain Bondz N’Gala flicked a header wide at the far post after just five minutes.

The visitors responded through forward Paul Hayes, who saw his lob pushed over by the alert Stack.

Aaron Pierre then had the first of two good chances, meeting Sam Wood’s corner and heading over the crossbar from a good position.

The centre-back came close to opening the scoring shortly after but again missed the target following Nicky Walker’s centre.

Akinde ought to have put the Bees ahead when he found himself slipped through with only goalkeeper Matt Ingram to beat, instead chipping his effort wide.

After a bright opening period, the chances stopped flowing as the half drew to a close with the game goalless.

Wycombe’s Hayes had the first chance of the second period, lashing a 25-yard effort narrowly over Stack’s crossbar.

The game was held up when Chairboys midfielder Josh Scowen was stretchered off with what appeared to be a serious head injury but later transpired to be an ankle injury.

Luke Gambin looked to have given the Bees the lead in the 66th minute but the referee had already awarded the hosts a free-kick for a foul on Akinde by Gary Doherty.

Four minutes later and the Bees were made to pay as they fell behind.

Stack mis-controlled a back pass and only picked out Wanderers’ Max Kretzschmar, who controlled the loose ball and found Murphy, who pinged beyond Stack first time with the outside of his boot.

Murphy had another attempt soon after but was unable to repeat his pinpoint effort from 25 yards.

MacDonald saw another chance go to waste eight minutes later when Danny Rowe blocked well to prevent the 33-year-old’s route to goal.

With pre-season complete, the Bees are just seven days away from the start of the new Conference season and an opening day trip to Chester. 

Barnet: Stack; Vilhete, Stephens, N'Gala, Johnson; Marsh-Brown (Gambin 55), Weston, Togwell (Luisma 88), Trialist (Muggleton 55); Akinde & MacDonald (c).

Subs not used: Cowler (GK), Saville, Nurse, Lowe & Sykes.

Wycombe Wanderers: Ingram; Jombati, Pierre, Doherty (Rowe 71), Jacobson; Walker (Cowan-Hall HT), Scowen (Kretzschmar 58), Murphy (Bloomfield 82), Wood; Hayes (c) (Craig 77) & McClure (Holloway 63).

Subs not used: Richardson & Morais.