Morecambe 2 Barnet 1 (From Times Series)

Morecambe 2 Barnet 1

5:05pm Saturday 14th March 2009

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Barnet put in a below-par performance at Christie Park this afternoon, slipping to a disappointing defeat.

After some excellent displays in recent weeks, this was something of an anti-climax.

These two sides both came into the game on form, but it never really lived up to expectations.

All three goals came in a crazy five-minute spell towards the end of the first half, which was not in keeping with the rest of the match.

Barnet had to make one change from the side that gave Brentford such a battle on Tuesday, central defender Gary Breen pulling out because of a neck strain. However, Joe Devera was passed fit again, so was a natural replacement for the veteran.

The Bees started brightly, but it was a quiet start in terms of chances, both sides having to contend with a strong wind and bobbly pitch.

The first shot came from Yannick Bolasie after 14 minutes, but it lacked power and was well wide.

Morecambe's first chance came midway through the first half, keeper Jake Cole out quickly and bravely to deny Neil Wainwright who was put through by a lovely defence-splitting ball from Stewart Drummond.

There was a blow for Barnet on the half-hour, Paul Furlong hobbling off with an injury, Cliff Akurang replacing the striker.

The deadlock was broken on 33 minutes, David Artell powering home a header following a corner, though Cole was convinced he was impeded.

But, within a minute, John O'Flynn nipped in front of his marker to slot home an Albert Adomah centre from close range.

It was a simple equaliser, but the perfect response from the visitors.

It was suddenly raining goals. Four minutes later, Morecambe were back in front, Wayne Curtis' weak shot somehow getting past Cole, who looked to have had the ball covered and will be most disappointed he did not stop it. However, Devera and Ismail Yakubu could be questioned for not clearing the danger long before the striker got in his shot.

The second half started quietly, though the Shrimps almost extended their lead on the hour, Cole doing well to save from Michael Twiss from close range following a corner.

At the other end, Neal Bishop had a crack from 25 yards, but the ball was always rising.

With 15 minutes to go, defenders Devera and Yakubu combined, the former's right-wing cross headed over by his fellow central defender.

Sub Adam Birchall then flicked the ball into the path of Bolasie, but he mis-kicked when in a great position.

Another Bishop shot was easily saved by the keeper, as the Bees tried to raise their game in the latter stages.

With three minutes to go, a Matt Lockwood corner was met by Devera, but his looping header was well over.

BARNET (4-4-2): Cole; Hughes, Yakubu, Devera, Lockwood; Adomah (Birchall 75), Bishop, Deverdics, Bolasie; Furlong (Akurang 30), O'Flynn. Subs not used: Kadoch, Gillet, Porter.

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