Martin Allen says it is a fresh start for Barnet as they travel to third-placed Gateshead after throwing away a three-goal lead to draw against Kidderminster on Saturday.

The Bees were 3-0 up at half-time against Harrier, but were only able to take a point after conceding three second-half goals at The Hive.

And head coach Allen insists it is now time to look forward rather than back ahead of Saturday’s top-of-the-table tussle in the north east.

He told the club’s website: “You can’t dwell on what happened last week. You have to learn from it and pick yourselves up. Here we are this morning and the training ground is in great nick. There is a bit of sunshine on the pitch, it has been freshly cut this morning and the groundsman is doing the markings.

“I think looking out there now as we stand here with the fresh cut grass and the fresh line markings going down there - it is a fresh start. We’ll get the players out here for training and get ourselves ready for the trip up to Gateshead.”

The Bees will be with young Millwall loanee Alfie Pavey, who has returned to The Den after completing his loan stay at The Hive. Fellow forward Charlie MacDonald (knee) is still several weeks away from returning, whilst defender Sam Muggleton is also sidelined (ankle).

Top-scorer John Akinde should be fit to start after being suffering from a tight hamstring prior to last Saturday’s draw with Kiddy.

Pavey made three substitute outings for the Bees during his month-long stay at the club and Allen was effusive in his praise for the 18-year-old striker.

He said: “I thought that Alfie has done really well. He is a great lad and he was here on a kind of work experience loan. He has helped us do a job but I think it will be better for him to be going back and playing in a Millwall team week in, week out because I can’t promise him a start in the team.”

Turning his attention to other injury concerns, Allen said: “We have got several players who are injured and will be missing, but I am keeping those close to my chest.

“It won’t weaken us, it will just strengthen us because the players that will be coming into the team will be desperate to do well and will be desperate for an opportunity, so I am really looking forward to seeing them play in our team.”

Gateshead will be without JJ O’Donnell, Jamie Chandler and James Curtis, meaning Scunthorpe United loanee Callum Howe will once more deputise for defender Curtis after scoring on his Heed debut in last Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Forest Green Rovers.