Barnet caretaker manager Ian Hendon has made it clear he wants the job on a permanent basis.

Hendon has been put in charge until the end of the season, but he said this week that he would love to continue in the role.

"It's something I've always wanted to do," he said.

He added: "I've been given the job until the end of the season and my brief is to keep the team in the league. The job's not done yet, but if I do it properly and do it right, then hopefully it will happen. That's what I would like.

"But it's not in my hands. It's in the chairman's hands."

However, Hendon's chances of landing the post next season have certainly been boosted by the Bees' recent form. Though league leaders Brentford ended Barnet's five-match unbeaten run on Tuesday, the visitors' performance earned much praise and a standing ovation from the 800 Barnet fans that made the trip to Griffin Park.

Barnet did everything but score against the title favourites.

Hendon said: "I'm not disappointed. On another night we could have had five or six goals. If you are going to lose a game of football, that's how you should do it. We had six or seven attacking players on the pitch in the end. I want to play forward and attacking football."

The boss added: "If we keep performing the way we are at the moment, we will win more games than we lose before the end of the season. I can't fault my players for effort. I'm really proud of them."

One defeat in six games (and that against the runaway leaders) is a fine return, but it is the way the team are playing at the moment that is most pleasing. Confidence is sky-high once more and Hendon hopes for more of the same at Morecambe on Saturday, the Shrimps being another form side.

"They've been going really well and it's another tough game, but we are full of confidence ourselves."