Ten-man Barnet go down fighting (From Times Series)

Ten-man Barnet go down fighting

9:44pm Tuesday 4th March 2008

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FULL TIME: Barnet 0 Peterborough United 2 . . .

Jason Puncheon saw red as ten-man Barnet became the latest victims of in-form Peterborough.

The winger was ordered off just a couple of minutes after the Posh had struck their opener, and there was no way back for the Bees, the visitors going on to notch their sixth win on the trot courtesy of a second goal in injury time.

Barnet were unchanged from the side that beat Shrewsbury on Saturday, while ex-Bee Liam Hatch again had to settle for a place on the Peterborough bench.

There was a lucky escape for the Bees in just the third minute, keeper Rob Beckwith failing to gather an Aaron McLean header, but the ball was scrambled to safety.

Barnet should have scored themselves soon after. Puncheon put over a superb cross for Albert Adomah to head back across goal, where Cliff Akurang was waiting. However, the striker failed to keep his header down.

With the wind in their favour, the Bees continued to press, though the Posh were giving as good as they got and looked dangerous on the break.

A volley from Chris Whelpdale went just wide on 20 minutes.

There was little between the two sides, with both trying to play football on a slippery surface.

There were calls for a Barnet penalty midway through the half, when Akurang had his shirt pulled as he tried to turn in an Adam Birchall centre at the near post. In the end, his shot went wide and a goal kick was the result.

The goal finally came in the 33rd minute. Dean Keates swung over a free kick that Craig Morgan may have got the slightest touch to. The Barnet defence stood and watched, and the ball was already over the line before Ismail Yakubu attempted to hook it clear from under his own bar.

It was to get worse for the Bees, when Puncheon was red-carded just a few minutes later. There was much confusion in the ground over what exactly the winger did, but the hosts were down to ten men regardless. One can only assume it was for dissent.

Peterborough not surprisingly ended the half in control, but they were unable to increase their lead.

The first chance of the second period fell to United's Craig Mackail-Smith but he drove into the side netting when he should have squared the ball.

Barnet were often chasing shadows, but the ten men were giving it everything.

On 64 minutes, Josh Wright flicked the ball into the box and Adomah saw a looping header come back off the bar, with keeper Joe Lewis well beaten. It was a lucky escape for the Posh.

At the other end, Jamie Day then curled a free kick against Barnet's bar, Beckwith this time rooted to the spot.

With ten minutes to go, McLean arrived at the near post to meet a corner, but he could not direct his header on target.

But Barnet refused to give up, Adomah bursting forward and testing Lewis with a low shot.

Peterborough were becoming anxious as the final whistle approached, the Bees sending everyone forward in an attempt to salvage something in the closing stages.

But it was the Posh who wrapped it up in injury time, Day curling in a free kick to finally end the Bees' brave second-half fight.

BARNET (4-4-2): Beckwith; Devera, Yakubu, Burton, Gillet (Nicolau 86); Adomah, Bishop, Wright, Puncheon; Birchall (Thomas 81), Akurang. Subs not used: Harrison, Porter, Grazioli.

Attendance: 2,202.

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