Chesterfield 1 Barnet 1 (From Times Series)

Chesterfield 1 Barnet 1

5:06pm Saturday 28th February 2009 in Sport By Paul Wreyford

Ismail Yakubu struck in the first half to earn Barnet a point at Saltergate this afternoon.

The defender's close-range effort capped a fine first 45 minutes for the Bees.

Though Chesterfield finished strongly and equalised well into the second half, the visitors did more than enough to deserve a share of the spoils.

This was a solid Barnet performance, the defence generally coping well with the home attack, with the experienced Gary Breen and Yakubu outstanding in the centre.

The Bees were not surprisingly unchanged from the side that saw off Bradford City seven days ago, though manager Ian Hendon chose not to have a sub keeper on the bench.

It was a quiet start with neither side really taking the initiative.

The first chance did not come until the 15th minute, Neal Bishop failing to keep his shot down after a corner was only half cleared.

MIdway through the half, Matt Lockwood tried his luck from distance, keeper Tommy Lee finger-tipping the ball over.

Chesterfield were continually frustrated by the offside trap, the Spireites struggling to get a grip on the game.

The hosts finally carved out an opening on 28 minutes, Aaron Downes placing a header wide from a long throw into the box.

For the visitors, Gary Breen had a far-post effort turned round by Lee.

And it was from the resulting corner that Barnet struck, Ismail Yakubu stabbing the ball home from close range after Breen had retrieved the ball at the back post and slid it back across the six-yard box. It was a simple goal, but no more than the Bees deserved.

Albert Adomah should have done better a few minutes later. The winger broke quickly, but screwed his shot wide after advancing into the box.

The home side had a chance when Jack Lester drilled a free-kick at goal, but Lee Harrison did well to push it out.

The goal had given the game a much-needed lift, Chesterfield at last starting to cause a few moments of concern in the visiting defence.

However, Barnet were fully deserving of their half-time lead.

The second half started as quietly as the first, the home fans growing ever more frustrated.

The Spireites took 20 minutes before creating a chance, Downes seeing another header from a long throw finish wide.

A back-peddling Harrison then had to pull off a superb save to tip over a looping Martin Gritton header, the hosts at last trying to up the pace.

The Bees were showing signs of tiring. Chesterfield sub Lewis Montrose was next to have a crack from all of 25 yards, but Harrison did enough to turn the ball over.

But, from the corner, Danny Hall stuck out a boot to divert the ball home from close in after the visitors had failed to clear their lines. It was a scrappy goal to concede.

With 15 minutes still to go, the hosts now sensed a winner, Harrison having to come out quickly to deny Downes.

Barnet did well to steady the ship and seemed to gain their second wind, Lockwood sending a free kick just wide with ten minutes to go.

There were four minutes of stoppage time, but neither side could find a winner.

BARNET (4-4-2): Harrison; Devera, Yakubu, Breen, Lockwood; Adomah, Bishop, Deverdics (Hughes 80), Bolasie; Furlong, O'Flynn (Akurang 85). Subs not used: Gillet, Leary, Birchall.