Former Bee Dan Bradley came back to haunt his former side by winning the penalty which saw Barnet take just a one-point lead at the Conference summit instead of three.

With second-placed Bristol Rovers only drawing 0-0 at Macclesfield Town earlier in the day, the Bees knew a three-point lead was theirs with victory at North Street. 

And after Curtis Weston had given the Bees a 19th-minute lead, with his third goal in as many away games, Bradley won a penalty which was converted by Bradley Wood.

Barnet go into next Saturday's home clash with struggling Nuneaton Town a point clear of Darrell Clarke's side.

Martin Allen made three changes as the Bees reverted to the 4-4-1-1 system successfully utilised for recent trips to Eastleigh and FC Halifax Town recently.

David Stephens, Conor Clifford and Sam Muggleton came into the side at the expense of Jack Saville, Lee Cook and Michael Gash, who all dropped down to the bench.

Winger Bradley, who briefly signed for Barnet in the summer, returned to the Alfreton Town side after missing their last two fixtures with a virus.

With a strong wind, a slope and a pitch displaying signs of heavy wear it was unsurprising the offering from both sides was decidedly mediocre.

However, it was Barnet who adapted to the conditions the better of the two, with a series of long throw-ins from Muggleton causing danger as the Bees kicked down the slope.

The former Gillingham left-back found his range after 19 minutes, hurling one in from deep in the Alfreton half which Mauro Vilhete headed against the near post before Weston hooked home from little more than a yard out.

It was the midfielder’s third goal in four games and he might have had second soon after but could only screw a half-volley wide of Jason Mooney’s near post.

The Bees continued to control proceedings but were still wary of the occasional Alfreton breakaway.

Alfreton had their best chance when new loan signing Jimmy Phillips closed down a Graham Stack clearance. The experienced gloveman did well to claw away his cross-cum-shot before Elliott Johnson removed the danger.

The combative Conor Clifford, booked for a high challenge on a sliding Dan Bradley, came close with a well-worked free-kick routine, lashing narrowly wide of Mooney’s right-hand post with a right-footed blast from 30 yards before the half drew to a close.

Allen made a change at half-time, introducing Gash in place of the booked Clifford, who had put in more than one firm challenge in the first 45 minutes.

It was Barnet who started the brighter of the two sides, Akinde making enough space to draw a fine stop from Mooney within a minute of the restart.

In the 52nd minute John Akinde, back at his old stomping ground, released Andy Yiadom down the right but his delivery across the face of goal was too high for Vilhete who could only nod over at the far post.

Reds debutant Phillips then drew a fine stop from Stack, who had to be at his best to push the winger’s 30-yard volley over the bar.

After a lively start to the second half chances were at a premium, though it was Barnet offering the greater threat.

Akinde might have marked his return to North Street with a goal after 70 minutes but he could not force Yiadom’s teasing low cross beyond the 6ft 9in Mooney.

Soon after the Conference’s top scorer brought down a long ball forward before shooting low into Mooney’s grasp from 20 yards as he tried to pick out the bottom right-hand corner.

Akinde went close again with six minutes remaining, getting a toe on Yiadom’s low shot to turn against the bar following good work down the right from Vilhete.

With three points seemingly secured, Bradley went to ground inside the penalty area under a challenge from Akinde following a long throw in.

The Bees protested strongly but referee Adrian Holmes was unmoved and defender Wood converted the spot kick to break Barnet hearts, firing past Stack with aplomb.

Barnet: Stack; Yiadom, N’Gala, Stephens, Johnson; Vilhete, Togwell, Clifford (Gash HT), Muggleton (Cook 61); Weston (c); Akinde.

Subs: Saville, MacDonald, Luisma.

Alfreton: Mooney; Graham, Howe, Rowe-Turner, Wood; Bradley, Thanoj, Lenighan (Leesley 68), Shaw (Heaton 59), Phillips (Ironside 68); Speight.

Subs: Howell, Johnston.

Referee: Adrian Holmes.

Attendance: 989