Goalkeeper Graham Stack described the Bees’ 3-1 defeat at Bristol Rovers on Saturday as not being a “typical Barnet performance” and stressed the importance of finding consistency.

For the first time in four games since returning to League Two head coach Martin Allen admitted afterwards his side had not deserved anything out of the game and it was a view supported by Stack.

“I do not know why but it was not a typical Barnet performance,” said the 33-year-old. “It was in spells in the second half and there was improvement when we did have a go at them.

“The killer for us was to concede the third as soon as we got back in the game because I still felt with five left and five minutes of injury time we could get something out the game, despite us being as poor as we were.

“I still believed if we kept going we could nick something undeservedly.”

He added: “As a team was the occasion too big for us? I would like to think not after the games we have been involved in over the last season. We have been involved in bigger games than playing here. I don’t think that was a reason.

“We need a big improvement from that performance.”

After failing to build on an encouraging second-half display in a 2-0 victory over Northampton Town on Tuesday evening, Stack highlighted the importance of finding consistency as soon as possible as Barnet find their feet back at a higher level.

He said: “We have done it in spits and spats. Now we have got to try to get it right from the start and keep that going until the end of the game.

“Obviously it is hard to find that week in week out, but it definitely something we have got to start doing and that starts on Tuesday at Wolves.”

A third-minute goal from Lee Brown did not help Barnet’s cause, the wing-back taking aim from 35 yards and picking out the bottom corner of Stack’s net through a crowd of bodies.

The former Arsenal and Hibernian goalkeeper admitted afterwards his view of the strike had been minimal at best.

“I could not see a thing,” explained Stack. “I only saw it late. I am sure it took a deflection; it came off somebody as it went through the bodies.

“We have got to get up to the ball quicker. When the lad took a touch we had to fly up to the ball and stop that ball heading towards our goal.

“I would not say we switched off; it was obviously something they have worked on. They created space on the edge of the box, the lad took a shot and I think it has took a deflection on the way in. It hit someone on the way through.

“It was disappointing to concede so early and away from home we should expect a team like Bristol Rovers to be at it from the off and to put pressure on us early on, which they did.

“We just did not deal with the set piece properly and we have only got ourselves to blame.”

Times Series: Graham Stack clears under pressure from Torquay United's Ryan Bowman last season. Picture: Dave PetersGraham Stack clears under pressure from Torquay United's Ryan Bowman last season. Picture: Dave Peters

Another setback to come from the defeat is the news Stack could now be sidelined after playing with a tight groin.

The experienced stopper missed all but one pre-season fixture as he recovered from a tight thigh but revealed afterwards he took the decision to play despite some stiffness in training this week.

Stack said: “I felt my groin before the game. I have kicked the ball fine in the last couple of games and physically I felt brilliant going into the last two games.

“This week my groin has been slightly stiff. We will settle it down on Sunday, see the physio (Luigi Cerullo) on Monday and go from there.”

He added: “The manager asked me to make a decision before the game, along with his opinion, and I wanted to play – I don’t like missing games.

"I don’t think it affected my performance. In the last few minutes my groin was stiff but up until that stage I can’t honestly say it affected my performance.

“It would be unfair on me and unfair on the team if I continue to play with an injury which could be costly for myself and may end up being long term, though.”

You can read Martin Allen's thoughts on defeat at the Memorial Stadium by clicking here.