Perhaps friendly apathy has set in after seven friendlies? This affair certainly suggested so as Barnet ran out 2-0 winners at National League Eastleigh in an encounter otherwise void of any goalmouth action.

An early strike from new vice-captain Andy Yiadom got the ball rolling and when Mauro Vilhete bent home a well-worked second hopes were high for an entertaining encounter.

But those first 15 minutes were the high water-mark in an otherwise mundane clash which Martin Allen’s side controlled without the Spitfires offering any real threat.

And with a week until the League Two season begins at newly-relegated Leyton Orient, Allen will hope for a similar result if not more intensity at Brisbane Road in seven days’ time.

With goalkeeper Graham Stack once again left out of the matchday 18, former Liverpool youngster Jamie Stephens started between the sticks for the Bees with another trialist, Chris Haigh, on the bench.

Bondz N’Gala and Bira Dembele were paired at centre-half once more with Tom Champion and Sam Togwell together in the engine room. Up front it was Kevin Lisbie and Michael Gash.

Hosts Eastleigh included former Bees Lee Cook, Ben Strevens and Jack Midson in their starting XI.

The Bees made a bright start in overcast Hampshire as captain Yiadom, revelling in his more advanced role, opened the scoring after just two minutes.

Gash burst down the left after latching onto a long ball forward and, after holding off the attentions of his marker, cut back for Yiadom to work a shooting position before firing low past Michael Poke from 20 yards.

And the Bees doubled their lead after 15 minutes with Gash again the provider. The striker’s pass picked out Vilhete and the Portuguese galloped into the penalty area before clipping coolly beyond Poke with minimal fuss.

Barnet remained in control for the rest of the half without carving out too many chances. Champion went close from 20 yards but saw his ambitious effort fly into the stand behind the goal without troubling former Southampton gloveman Poke.

There was one sour note, however, as experienced striker Lisbie was withdrawn after 27 minutes with what appeared to be a hamstring problem.

Eastleigh’s Cook – a member of Barnet’s title-winning side of last season – went as close as anyone for the Spitfires with a free kick but goalkeeper Stephens was equal to the effort before Gavin Hoyte headed the subsequent corner off the line to preserve the visitors’ half-time lead.

Sam Muggleton and Luke Gambin entered the fray early in the second half and the Bees struggled to create any opportunities to build on their lead.

Eastleigh substitute Jai Reason came closest in an instantly-forgettable first 20 minutes of the second period, collecting possession and striding forward before testing Stephens from 25-yards.

A rare Barnet chance came from a long Muggleton throw with 15 minutes remaining, Stevens getting up highest to plant wide of the near post from 12 yards.

Gambin might have laid on a third at the death but his tantalising cross from the right was just out of the reach of Muggleton and Stevens at the back post.

Barnet complete pre-season at Southern League Division One Central side Northwood on Monday evening.

Barnet: Stephens (T); Hoyte, N’Gala, Dembele, Johnson; Yiadom (c) (Muggleton 53), Togwell, Champion (Tomlinson 70) (Weston 89), Vilhete; Lisbie (Stevens 27), Gash (Gambin 54).

Subs: Haigh (GK) (T), Nelson, Akinde.

Eastleigh: Poke; Partington, Turley, Reid (c) (Evans 68), Green (Thomas 77); Strevens, Drury; Odubade (Reason 57), Midson (Alexander 83), Cook (Lafayette 57); Constable.

Subs: Noice (GK).

Referee: Adrian Quelch.

Attendance: