Barnet slipped out of the JP Trophy at Victoria Road this evening, but at least restored some pride with a much-improved performance.

The game could have gone either way, with five goals in a crazy first half.

Adam Birchall struck twice for the Bees, but the Daggers still went in at the break ahead, the visitors' makeshift defence struggling to cope.

The second half did not live up to the first, the hosts sealing the tie with a penalty 15 minutes from time.

Injury-hit Barnet were forced to make a number of changes from the side that were humbled by Chester on Saturday.

There was a debut for keeper Ran Kadoch, while Aswad Thomas came into the heart of the defence to partner Michael Leary, the Bees unable to field one "natural" centre-back. Kenny Gillet, in the absence of the injured Ismail Yakubu, was named captain for the night, the Frenchman having served his suspension.

Ex-Bee Richard Graham started for the Daggers, while another former Bee, Ben Strevens, had to settle for a place on the bench.

Things started terribly for the Bees, the hosts striking within four minutes. Kadoch did well to push out a low Mark Nwokeji drive, but the ball rolled into the path of the incoming Paul Benson who stroked it into an empty net.

But Barnet were level within two minutes. Cliff Akurang, capitalising on a fortunate deflection, laid the ball off to Birchall and he beat keeper Ed Thompson from just inside the box.

It was a fine response from the visitors, and just what they needed to restore confidence, Saturday's humiliation still fresh in their minds.

The Bees were showing a lot more fight than at the weekend, the players looking keen to put that experience behind them.

And Barnet were deservedly in front on 18 minutes. Ashley Carew whipped in a super cross to the near post and Birchall, with his back to goal, turned to head the ball into the top corner, Thompson only managing to help it into the roof of the net, the keeper beaten by the sheer pace of the ball.

The lead lasted just ten minutes, a mistake from Thomas, who seemed to slip as he tried to clear the ball, gifting Nwokeji a free shot on goal, the Dagenham player making no mistake from ten yards.

Both sides looked capable of scoring everytime they went forward, providing good entertainment for the fans.

And the Daggers did so again on 34 minutes, Benson beating the offside trap and coolly lobbing Kadoch who was stranded well off his line.

Barnet had the first chance of the second half, Neal Bishop trying his luck from distance, the ball just clearing the bar.

Chances were at a premium in the early stages, a far cry from the opening minutes of the first period.

MIdway through the half, manager Paul Fairclough gambled by introducing an extra striker, Luke Medley coming on for midfielder Max Porter, as the Bees looked for an equaliser.

Bishop had another crack from distance, but it was well wide.

With 15 minutes to go, Dagenham sub Jon Nurse cut inside the box and Thomas stuck out a leg, the forward going over. Glen Southam found the corner with his penalty to give the hosts a two-goal advantage.

It was perhaps a little cruel on the Bees, who had looked the likelier to score after the break.

They plugged on gamely, at least showing more spirit than on Saturday, and Birchall was unlucky not to grab a hat-trick, a delicate chip just going wide two minutes from time.

BARNET (4-4-2): Kadoch; Carew, Leary, Thomas, Gillet; Adomah, Mitchell, Bishop, Porter (Medley 66); Birchall, Akurang (Charles 81). Subs not used: Beckwith, Tabiri, St Aimie.

Attendance: 1,412.