Bees earn replay

8:57pm Saturday 1st December 2007

Comments (0)   Have your say »

Burton Albion 1 Barnet 1 . . .

BARNET are still in the FA Cup, but the job is only half done.

Blue Square Premier League Burton struck late to earn a replay at Underhill on December 11, and their spirited second-half performance at the Pirelli Stadium this afternoon will have provided plenty of evidence that there is still much work for the Bees to do.

No doubt Barnet would have settled for a draw before the game, and this was still a good result, but the lateness of the Burton equaliser made it a bitter pill to swallow.

The visitors looked to have done enough. Liam Hatch's first-half strike was looking like it would be the only goal of the game.

But sub Darren Stride arrived at the far post unmarked to turn home a Keith Gilroy centre with just four minutes of normal time remaining. It was his first touch.

It set up a tense finale, but not even seven minutes of stoppage time could produce a winner, only a harsh red card for Nicky Nicolau following a second bookable offence.

Despite a bright start from the hosts, Barnet soon got into their stride. Hatch struck the bar with a header and Neal Bishop forced keeper Kevin Poole to turn over a drive from the edge of the box.

The opener came on 19 minutes. Bishop freed Adam Birchall down the left and he crossed for the arriving Hatch to steer the ball home on the volley from 12 yards.

Despite being awarded numerous free-kicks, Burton wasted the majority and Barnet looked well in control.

That was until first-half stoppage time when Sagi Burton's trailing leg allegedly caught Gilroy and the referee pointed to the spot.

Aaron Webster hit his penalty low and Lee Harrison got down well to save.

The Brewers had to improve after the break, and did.

They looked like a team that had received a half-time talking to and played with much more spirit.

With Sagi Burton being stretchered off just minutes after the restart, the Barnet defence now knew they were in a match.

However, the better chances still came at the other end.

The hardworking Josh Wright saw Poole tip over an effort after another Birchall centre, while Ismail Yakubu struck the foot of the post with a header from the resulting corner.

But it was the hosts who struck in the 86th minute and the Brewers then almost won it, Harrison making a fine stop with his leg to keep out a clever Webster back-heel.

Either side could have snatched it in stoppage time, but it was not to be, Birchall driving the final chance into the side netting.

BARNET (4-4-2): Harrison; Devera, Yakubu, Burton (O'Cearuill 52), Gillet; Carew, Wright, Bishop, Nicolau; Birchall (Thomas 90), Hatch. Subs not used: Beckwith, Leary, Grazioli.

Attendance: 2,769.