Martin Allen decided to focus on the positives after Barnet’s 1-0 Football League Trophy exit at Yeovil Town on Tuesday, but admitted the performance had only been ok.

A bizarre Bira Dembele own goal before half time was enough to settle an entirely forgettable contest in which a tame John Akinde effort was the only one on target from either side.

Allen made the five changes permitted by the competition’s rules but despite having the best of the first half, saw his side bow out at Huish Park.

Reflecting on the result, he said: “I’m disappointed to go out but we’re focusing on the positives – the good individual performances, even though it wasn’t a great team performance.

“I thought the performance was ok tonight, but just ok – we created a couple of half chances but nothing great,” he continued.

“I thought it was good to see some of our young players playing in the team. It was also good for some of the players who haven’t been in our team to be playing. There were some very good individual performances, which was very pleasing.”

Allen felt his side had been the better of the two, even without a handful of first-team regulars “In the first half we spent most of the game in their half, dominating the match,” he stated.

“Again in the second half most of the game was playing in their end – except for a ten-minute spell when we played four up front.

“When you do that there are always likely to be some attacks from the opposition. But I thought we’d gamble, since it was a cup game.

“There were a lot of players missing tonight, and a lot of good players to come back for Saturday.

“Now I’ve got to get the team ready for Carlisle, which I’m looking forward to.”

You can read the match report from Tuesday's defeat by clicking here.