"We are so close."

Barnet caretaker manager Ian Hendon is convinced his new charges will start to see a change in fortune soon.

Hendon is himself yet to taste victory since taking the reins, with three draws from his first five matches.

More worrying is the fact that the Bees are still waiting for their first home win since early October.

However, there have been signs of improvement under Hendon and he remains confident three points at Underhill will not be long in coming.

The Bees have two home games on the slate this week, and they are two massive matches. Both Rotherham United (Saturday) and Grimsby Town (Tuesday) are, like Barnet, still in the relegation mire.

Hendon, speaking after the Bees were narrowly beaten 2-1 at promotion-chasing Exeter City on Saturday, said: "We are so close to these teams (eg Exeter). At the risk of being boring, I am sure we are going to win games of football very soon.

"I am confident and I believe we will start climbing the table, as long as I keep getting what I got from the players on Saturday."

The Bees were unlucky not to come home with anything from St James Park, Michael Leary missing a late penalty, in what was another encouraging performance against a quality side.

However, it is now just one win in 19 matches for Barnet and Hendon has wasted no time in trying to strengthen his squad.

He this week brought in another two players, while also extended the loan of striker Paul Furlong, whose goal against teh Grecians was his second in five games. Furlong will now styay at Underhill until the end of the season.

Arriving on Monday were ex-Leyton Orient left-back Matt Lockwood and former Northern Ireland U21 midfielder Mark Hughes.

Lockwood, 32, who has also played for Bristol Rovers and Colchester United, is on loan for a month, while Hughes, 24, whose former clubs include Oldham Athletic and Chester City, will stay at Underhill until the end of the season.

However, winger Tommy Black has been released.

At least Barnet did not see any of their star players leave during the January transfer window, with many fearing winger Albert Adomah might be snapped up by a higher-league club.

Hendon should have a fully-fit squad to choose from for Saturday's game against the Millers. With defenders Jeremy De Magalhaes and Ismail Yakubu now back in training, only the suspended Kenny Gillet is unavailable for selection.