FULL-TIME: Barnet 2 Gillingham 2 (From Times Series)

FULL-TIME: Barnet 2 Gillingham 2

4:59pm Saturday 13th December 2008 in Sport By Paul Wreyford

A goal in stoppage time robbed Barnet of a much-needed and deserved three points at Underhill this afternoon.

The Bees were twice ahead thanks to goals from Michael Leary and John O'Flynn but could not hold on.

It was cruel on the battling hosts who put in a superb performance against their high-flying visitors.

They fought like mad and worked their socks off, but, once again, Lady Luck deserted them.

The fans did, however, recognise their sterling efforts and applauded warmly as the gutted players left the pitch on the final whistle after a cracking contest.

Barnet manager Paul Fairclough made a number of changes from the side that lost to Luton.

The big surprise was that skipper Neal Bishop had to settle for a place on the bench, with Nicky Deverdics and Max Porter both named in the starting line-up.

Meanwhile, Ismail Yakubu and Nicky Nicolau came in at right-back and left-back respectively.

It was a lively start, with both sets of players struggling to keep their feet on the sodden surface, the rain lashing down.

The Bees started well and caused one or two moments of concern in the opposition box, but with no end product.

Michael Leary had the first effort on target, but it was straight at keeper Simon Royce.

It was an open game, with the tackles flying in, despite the slippery conditions.

Midway through the half, Albert Adomah threw himself at a Porter cross, but his header flashed just wide.

There was plenty of commitment, but few clear-cut chances at either end.

On 34 minutes, Simeon Jackson found himself in a good position for the Gills, but scuffed his shot and Rob Beckwith easily gathered.

Beckwith then finger-tipped a John Nutter grass-cutter behind for a corner.

Jackson almost broke the deadlock soon after. Breaking down the left, his low shot beat Beckwith, but Michael Townsend, sliding in to cover, managed to deflect the ball out to safety via the upright.

Though the Bees had controlled much of the first half, Gillingham ended it the stronger, Beckwith pulling off an outstanding save to deny Jackson in a one-on-one situation. However, Porter did force Royce to tip a low drive behind in what was the final chance of the first period.

The second half was barely ten seconds old when Barnet struck, Leary bursting forward and rifling in a 25-yard drive that left Royce with little chance.

It was frantic stuff, the play switching from end to end, Adam Miller scewing a shot wide for Gillingham after Leary had lost the ball.

The visitors were level midway through the second half. Andy Barcham was allowed to run unchallenged and, though his initial effort was blocked, he picked up the loose ball and beat Beckwith from 15 yards with a well-placed shot.

But the Bees were back in front just two minutes later, John O'Flynn rising at the near post to head home a Deverdics cross from the left.

Barnet were giving everything, determined to hold on, as the Gills piled forward in search of a second equaliser.

And it came in stoppage time, Jackson hooking the ball home from close range after the hosts had failed to deal with a long throw into the box.

BARNET (4-4-2): Beckwith; Yakubu, De Magalhaes, Townsend, Nicolau; Adomah, Porter, Leary, Deverdics (Bishop 83); Birchall, O'Flynn (Medley 88). Subs not used: Kadoch, Charles, Akurang.

Attendance: 2,248.