Barnet came into the last day of the season knowing that they were not in control of their own destiny since to avoid relegation out of the EFL not only did they need to see off the challenge of already-relegated Chesterfield, but Morecambe needed to taste defeat at Coventry City.

Chesterfield initially provided stubborn opposition but once John Akinde had steered a firm header beyond Spireites keeper Joe Anyon just before half-time, Barnet were able to cruise to a comfortable 3-0 victory with second-half strikes by Richard Brindley and Alex Nicholls putting the outcome of the match beyond doubt.

Strangely these goals were greeted with muted applause as Barnet’s fate was being determined at the Ricoh Arena where Coventry and Morecambe were conspiring to come to a scoreless draw which would see the Bees relegated on goal-difference.

Barnet boss Martin Allen made just one change to the side that had won ironically at Morecambe the week before, with the injured Simeon Akinola replaced by Nicholls.

The hosts were the first to settle and went close to forging an early lead when a good cross from the right by Brindley was met by the head of Akinde, but his effort flashed wide.

A rare mistake by Michael Nelson then allowed Kristian Dennis in on goal but Barnet keeper Craig Ross was equal to the task.

Curtis Weston was tireless for the home side in midfield and looked a goal threat with an effort from 20 yards rattling the crossbar.

Jacob Brown was a willing runner up front for the visitors and keeper Anyon was looking hard to beat when he acrobatically kept out a Ricardo Santos header that looked destined for the top corner.

Then from a well-judged delivery into the box by Weston, Akinde headed home in the 42nd minute to put the Bees ahead at the interval.

After the break the visitors had their moments with Giles Coke spurning a good opportunity but Barnet, albeit late in the season, are now under Allen and not the sort of side to be easily distracted from the task in hand.

Barnet fans were fully aware of the stalemate being played out at the Ricoh and as the second-half progressed the nagging notion that it was going to remain that way was gradually becoming painful reality.

Brindley scored his first goal for the Bees when he cut in from the right and fired a low shot into the corner in the 81st minute, and with two minutes remaining Nicholls hit a marvellous shot from distance which on any other occasion would have been met with rapturous applause.

Allen has overseen a transformation of Barnet’s fortunes in the last six weeks and was proved correct in his prediction that his side would take it to the wire on the last day of the season.

Barnet had come so very close to achieving a miraculous escape yet when confirmation of Morecambe’s 0-0 draw came through, their fate was finally sealed.

Barnet: Ross, Brindley, Santos, Nelson (Watson 90), Tutonda, Akpa Akpro, Weston, Sweeney, Nicholls (Shomotun 90), Akinde, Coulthirst (J.Taylor 87). Subs not used: Clough, Bover, Shomotun, Payne, Legg.