Barnet 1 Luton Town 1 (From Times Series)

Barnet 1 Luton Town 1

4:58pm Saturday 18th April 2009

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Barnet had to settle for a share of the spoils after striker Paul Furlong saw a late penalty saved at Underhill this afternoon.

The on-form striker had the chance to hit the winner from the spot 15 minutes from time, but Luton keeper Dean Brill pulled off an excellent save.

This was a fiesty encounter, even though only pride was at stake. At times it got nasty, with Luton skipper Kevin Nicholls sent off late on following an incident involving Yannick Bolasie.

Barnet were forced to make a number of changes from the side that drew with Aldershot on Monday. Lee Harrison was given the gloves in favour of Ran Kadoch, while Michael Leary, playing against his former club, slotted into the centre of defence due to the injury of Ismail Yakubu. There was also a place for youngster Joe Tabiri in midfield.

After a quiet start, Luton had the ball in the net after 13 minutes, but Michael Spillane was ruled offside following a free-kick that had been lofted into the area.

Yannick Bolsaie responded for the Bees with a terrific run from his own half, his shot eventually deflecting on to the top of the bar via a Luton defender.

Albert Adomah then drove inches over after Paul Furlong had laid the ball into his path just inside the box.

There was plenty of spirit and endeavour from both sides, but not too much in the way of goalmouth action.

Adam Birchall did have a chance five minutes before the break, but he poked the ball over the bar after it had dropped invitingly to him about 12 yards out.

But Birchall made amends a minute before the interval with the opening goal. Kenny Gillet picked out Gary Breen unmarked at the back post with a free-kick. The central defender saw his header pushed on to the post by keeper Dean Brill, but the ball bounced out to Birchall, who had the simple task of stabbing it home from a few yards.

The Hatters took just three minutes of the second half to respond. Harrison came out to meet a long ball forward, but Rossi Jarvis got there first and lifted it over the stranded keeper into an unguarded net.

Luton were now enjoying greater possession, the Bees having lost their way since the start of the second period.

Joe Devera had to make a fine interception at the near post to prevent Ian Henderson getting in a shot on 65 minutes, the visitors still looking the likelier to score a second.

Barnet's first chance of the second half was a Tabiri snapshot from 25 yards, but it finished wide.

But, with 15 minutes to go, Adomah tried to turn Sol Davis and was tripped, the referee immediately pointing to the spot.

Furlong stepped up, only to see Brill brilliantly turn his penalty behind for a corner.

At least it livened things up a bit and Harrison had to push out a Henderson drive at the other end.

With just 11 minutes to go, Luton captain Kevin Nicholls was ordered off following a tussle with Bolassie, the midfielder receiving a second yellow card.

BARNET (4-4-2): Harrison; Devera, Leary, Breen, Gillet; Adomah, Bishop, Tabiri (Charles 90), Bolasie; Furlong, Birchall. Subs not used: Kadoch, Nicolau, Porter, Hughes.

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