Barnet stun league leaders

5:07pm Saturday 12th January 2008

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FULL TIME: MK Dons 0 Barnet 1 . . .

Barnet put in a superb performance to stun the runaway league leaders at the MKStadium this afternoon.

A first-half Ismail Yakubu goal was a just reward for a battling display.

The Bees defended as though their lives depended on it and the hosts could have no complaints about the outcome.

Indeed, this was arguably Barnet's best performance of the season and they might even have won by more.

Barnet made just one change from the side that drew at Swindon in the FA Cup seven days ago, Josh Wright coming straight in for the suspended Michael Leary.

Things started badly for the Bees, with Neal Bishop going into the referee's book for a foul within the first minute.

Ashley Carew then followed him for a late tackle just a few minutes later.

But it was the visitors who started the better and Cliff Akurang drove just wide from the edge of the box with ten minutes gone.

Jason Puncheon, against his old club, also had a crack from distance, but it never troubled home keeper Willy Gueret.

It was refreshing to see Barnet take the game to their hosts.

On 18 minutes, Puncheon crossed deep for Carew to hit on the volley, but it too was just off target.

But the Bees were rewarded for their fine start midway through the half, Puncheon curling a cross to the back post, where Ismail Yakubu arrived to stab home from a tight angle, the home defence going missing.

At this stage, the Dons were struggling to get out of their own half.

The home side finally created their first chance on 28 minutes, Keith Andrews seeing Rob Beckwith dive to his right to catch a 25-yard drive.

Andrews had another go a few minutes later, but this one flashed wide of Beckwith's post.

Carew then had a great chance for Barnet, after he won the ball from Dean Lewington, but the winger screwed his shot wide. He should have done better.

The lethargic Dons continued to struggle and there were no further chances as the first half, a great one for the visitors, drew to a close.

The home side started the second half with much more purpose and Joe Devera did brilliantly to block a Jemal Johnson shot.

Defender Sean O'Hanlon then headed over from close range at the near post from a Dons' corner, when he should have at least hit the target.

The Bees were defending well and looking to attack on the break, manager Paul Fairclough roaring them on from the touchline.

They were snapping at the heels of their hosts at every opportunity, making it difficult for Milton Keynes to carve out chances.

With 20 minutes to go, Andrews powered a header inches wide from a Luke Howell cross. It was a lucky escape for the visitors.

Within a minute, Nicky Nicolau almost doubled the lead, Gueret blocking his far-post effort, a Carew cross having found its way to the back post.

Akurang then went into the referee's book for a late challenge ten minutes from time.

The Dons continued to push forward, but little was breaking for them in the box, the Barnet rearguard holding firm.

And Bishop almost struck at the other end, shooting just wide with his left foot after charging towards the home area in the 86th minute.

Meanwhile, the Bees continued to throw their bodies in front of the ball, as Milton Keynes threw everyone forward in the dying minutes, Bishop receiving a nasty head wound for his efforts.

The final chance fell to Drissa Diallo, but Beckwith pulled off a stunning save, pushing the ball out at full stretch, with Andrews heading the rebound into the side netting.

BARNET (4-5-1): Beckwith; Porter, Devera, Yakubu, Gillet; Carew, Wright, Bishop, Nicolau, Puncheon; Akurang. Subs not used: Harrison, O'Cearuill, Grazioli, Birchall, Thomas.

Attendance: 9,881.