This scoreless away draw will not live long in the memory but by the way Barnet boss Martin Allen congratulated his players at the final whistle it was clear that in a season when the Bees have faltered many times on their travels any point that is added to their tally is going to be warmly welcomed.

Of real concern to head coach Allen, though, will be the mounting injury list he is now faced with.

Strikers John Akinde, Michael Gash and Matt Stevens joined Graham Stack and Michael Nelson in missing this one before Gavin Hoyte and Sam Togwell were withdrawn with injuries before half time.

Barnet stiffened their midfield with the addition of Tom Champion who replaced forward Gash from the side which drew 0-0 with Carlisle United aat home last weekend.

Just prior to kick-off four Barnet players, Andy Yiadom, Akinde, Nelson and Gash, joined the Barnet supporters behind one of the goals to add their voices to those rooting for the Bees.

Barnet, backed by a large travelling following, were the first to settle and took the game to the hosts. But from the off they were having difficulty creating genuine opportunities.

A weak header by Barnet midfielder Sam Togwell intended for his own keeper should have been converted by Aaron O'Connor but his toe-poke went wide of an upright.

Fraser Franks did bundle the ball into Barnet’s net but when his effort was ruled out for foul play his protestations looked token.

Stevenage were on top for most of the first half but Barnet’s determined centre-backs, Bondz N’Gala and Bira Dembele, were in good form and repeatedly repelled any danger.

The home side were also finding chances at a premium and with Barnet keeper Jamie Stephens looking confident and assured, this was never going to be a high-scoring affair.

Barnet had a ten-minute spell in the second-half when their approach play might well have led to the visitors taking the lead but the game quickly resumed its stalemate appearance.

In the 67th minute a free-kick, some 25 yards out, by Michael Tonge was the nearest Stevenage came to scoring but Stephens remained untroubled as the effort went some way of the crossbar.

The Bees' lone striker, Shaun Batt, did then have an opportunity in the closing minutes but his header from a cross by Alie Sesay lacked conviction.

Barnet lost two players, Gavin Hoyte and Togwell, through injury in what was never less than a full-blooded local derby.

In terms of endeavour and commitment both sets of players could not be faulted.

The likelihood that one goal always looked likely to be decisive gave a game a curious appeal but beyond the devoted this would not be deemed entertainment.

Stevenage: Day; Wilkinson, Franks, Henry, Ogilvie; Pett (Petravicius 91), Tonge, Keane, Lee (Conlon 78); O'Connor, Zanzala (Akinyemi 67).

Subs: Jackson (GK), McCombe, Wells, Gorman.

Barnet: Stephens; Hoyte (Randall 43), N'Gala, Dembele, Johnson; Hackett, Weston, Champion (Taylor 69), Togwell (Sesay 30), Gambin; Batt.

Subs: McKenzie-Lyle (GK) Tomlinson, Muggleton, Shomotun.

Referee: Iain Williamson. 

Attendance: 3,801.