Barnet moved up to 17th in League Two by halting the division’s most dangerous attack in a 0-0 draw at home to Morecambe.

The Shrimps, themselves 13th, had netted 31 times in 16 games prior to today’s stalemate at The Hive – a record which left them tied with Carlisle United as the league’s top scorers.

But after the disappointment of last weekends’ 2-0 defeat at Luton Town, the Bees got back on track by claiming a hard-fought point at home to the Lancastrian outfit in an instantly forgettable game.

It was Jim Bentley’s visitors who came closest to breaking the deadlock in the opening period; seeing a Tom Barkhuizen goal disallowed for offside.

But Barnet improved in the second half and were arguably unfortunate not to take maximum points and extend a proud home record – currently fifth best in League Two.

Martin Allen named an unchanged side, though there was no place on the bench for midfielder Nicky Bailey.

The Bees head coach had only declared Bailey fit enough to be in contention for his first start of his second spell with the club on Monday.

However, Allen elected to go with the same XI which lost 2-0 at Luton Town a week earlier. Hakeem Odoffin came onto the bench in place of Bailey.

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Luke Gambin sees his progress halted by a sliding tackle. Picture: Len Kerswill

In a scrappy and even opening period it took until the 30th minute for either side to carve out a chance of note; Barkhuizen testing Bees keeper Jamie Stephens after receiving Paul Mullin’s cross.

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Michael Gash looks to play beyond Shrimps defender Alan Goodall. Picture: Len Kerswill

Stephens was called into action again a few minutes later, blocking Lee Molyneux’s low effort before an offside Barkhuizen tucked home the rebound only to be flagged offside.

Barnet started the second period as they meant to go on, Brentford loanee Josh Clarke only denied by alert keeping from Barry Roache after collecting Michael Gash’s cross from the left.

Gash tried his luck a few minutes later, lashing wide with a free-kick as he sought to replicate his set piece stunner against York City.

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Josh Clarke brings a smart stop out of Morecambe keeper Barry Roache. Picture: Len Kerswill

The Bees continued to push for the opener, the lively Clarke testing Shrimps stopper Roache with a low short which produced a corner only.

Barnet go to Notts County on Tuesday in search of their second away league win of the season.

Barnet: Stephens; Yiadom (c), N’Gala, Nelson, Johnson; Clarke (Muggleton 85), Weston, Champion, Gambin (McLean 80); Akinde, Gash (Batt 69).

Subs: McKenzie-Lyle (GK), Hoyte, Togwell, Odoffin.

Morecambe: Roache; Beeley (c), Edwards, Parish, McGowan (Wilson 43); Fleming, Goodall, Barkhuizen, Molyneux (Kenyon 80); Ellison, Mullin (Miller 80).

Subs: Thompson (GK), Devitt, Wildig, Doyle.

Referee: Fred Graham.

Attendance: 1,632.