FULL-TIME: Barnet 2 Accrington Stanley 1

4:54pm Saturday 4th October 2008

Captain Ismail Yakubu struck a second-half winner after Barnet appeared to have thrown away the chance of three points at Underhill this afternoon.

Yakubu rose to head home just a minute after John O'Flynn had missed from the penalty spot.

It was a mixed day for O'Flynn, the striker having nodded the Bees in front within half a minute of the kick off.

But Accrington fought back and were on their way to a point, before Yakubu spared O'Flynn's blushes.

It was not vintage Barnet, but this was the Bees' second win on the trot and their first home win of the season, so few left Underhill complaining.

Barnet manager Paul Fairclough named the same side that beat Grimsby seven days ago, with the now fit-again Nicky Deverdics again having to settle for a place on the bench.

The Bees got off to a dream start, with O'Flynn taking just 30 seconds to score his first Barnet goal. Albert Adomah did all the work, getting to the byline to cross, the incoming Irishman finding the net with a header from inside the six-yard box. It was the sort of goal Barnet had stopped scoring in recent months, a typical poacher's strike, O'Flynn getting into the right place at the right time.

It was a blistering start from Adomah, and he threatened to take on the entire Accrington defence moments later, his shot from the edge of the box eventually blocked.

Things calmed down somewhat after the explosive opening, with neither team offering much in front of goal.

Adomah continued to look the most dangerous player on the pitch, and had a couple of shots blocked after mazy runs.

Midway through the half, a corner was only cleared as far as Neal Bishop 20 yards out, but the midfielder failed to keep his volley down.

The Bees were in full control and O'Flynn saw a hooked effort blocked by a visiting defender after keeper Kenny Arthur had failed to claim a ball into the box.

Both sides were then guilty of a couple of poor challenges, Barnet's Cliff Akurang going into the book for his late tackle on the halfway line.

Stanley had to wait until ten minutes before the interval for their first shot, Jimmy Ryan's low free-kick well held by Lee Harrison.

However, as half-time approached, there were just signs the visitors were starting to get a foot in the game.

And, in first-half stoppage time, Colin Murdoch rose at the near post to head home a John Miles corner, the central defender having gained a yard on marker Akurang.

It was an awful goal to concede at any time, but being so close to the break made it even tougher for home fans to swallow.

Lifted by the goal, Accrington started the second half with a spring in their step, and it was now a much more even contest.

Stanley should have taken the lead on 56 minutes, Ryan blazing over after an excellent Paul Mullin flick-on had freed him down the right, the home defence sleeping.

Fairclough responded by introducing Deverdics and Adam Birchall, as he attempted to regain the initiative.

However, it was Adomah who had Barnet's first shot of the second half, his drive bringing a flying save out of keeper Arthur.

There was a lot of huffing and puffing from both sides, but little in the way of clear-cut chances.

But, with 20 minutes to go, Birchall did brilliantly to put Adomah in the clear. The winger only had the keeper to beat but had his legs taken from him by sub Robbie Williams. It was a clear penalty, Williams receiving a red card in the process.

O'Flynn stepped up, but saw Arthur push his spot kick behind.

However, from Nicky Nicolau's corner, Yakubu beat Arthur to the ball to head into the top corner.

Accrington, down to ten men, were forced to push forward, leaving gaps at the back.

Man of the match Adomah threatened to finish it off, but the Bees could not find a third. Fortunately, Accrington were a spent force and Harrison was not really troubled in the closing stages.

BARNET (4-4-2): Harrison; Carew, Yakubu, Devera, Gillet; Adomah (Porter 90), Bishop, Leary (Deverdics 57), Nicolau; O'Flynn, Akurang (Birchall 61). Subs not used: Beckwith, Medley.

Attendance: 1,899.