Morecambe 2 Barnet 1 (From Times Series)

Morecambe 2 Barnet 1

5:08pm Saturday 23rd January 2010 in

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Barnet were denied a point by a late goal at Christie Park this afternoon.

The Bees looked to be heading for a much-needed morale boost after Matt Lockwood had marked his return to Underhill with a first-half equaliser.

The on-loan defender, who also played his part in helping the Bees avoid the drop last season, converted a first-half penalty to cancel out an early Morecambe strike.

But the Shrimps grabbed a winner on 78 minutes to make it another away-day defeat for sorry Barnet.

Desperate for a win, Barnet boss Ian Hendon rang the changes, opting for experience.

The on-loan Lockwood, who only joined the Bees from Colchester United yesterday, started in place of Kenny Gillet, while Gary Breen returned to the heart of the defence at the expense of Ismail Yakubu. Breen has been out since the beginning of November, the last time the Bees won a game.

Surprisingly, Hendon recalled Daniel Leach to partner Breen, with Joe Devera switching to right-back and Ryan O'Neill dropping to the bench.

There was also experience up front, Paul Furlong coming in for John O'Flynn.

The only other change was new signing Lee Sawyer, who came in for the unsettled Albert Adomah, who is being linked with a move to Championship side Blackpool.

Morecambe started the day just outside the play-off places and the Bees knew it was going to be tough.

The visitors needed a solid start, a base to build upon, but they did not get it.

Within four minutes of the kick-off, they were already behind, Stewart Drummond heading home a Mark Duffy cross from close range.

It was important Barnet steadied the ship and, to their credit, they responded well to the early blow.

However, they suffered another knock on the half-hour, skipper Micah Hyde having to come off through injury.

It was starting to look like another one of those days for the Londoners, but, ten minutes before the break, the battling Bees were back in the game.

The referee spotted an infringement on Mark Hughes in the Morecambe box and awarded a penalty.

As the hosts complained, Lockwood kept his nerve to convert the spot kick.

The Bees deserved to be level at the break, having responded well to their early set-back. In fact, they might have even taken a lead into the second half, Furlong coming the closest to adding to Lockwood's strike.

Both teams had chances to grab a winner after the break, but both keepers were in good form.

Though Barnet were desperate for a win, after so many defeats on the road, it was important they at least never lost today.

But, just as they looked to be heading for a much-needed point, the Shrimps struck again, Duffy surging into the box and picking his spot with just 12 minutes to go after Breen had lost possession.

Yet again, despite another encouarging performance, the Bees had nothing to show for their efforts.

BARNET (4-4-2): Cole; Devera, Breen, Leach, Lockwood; Sawyer, Hughes, M Hyde (Adomah 30), Jarrett; Furlong, J Hyde (O'Flynn 65). Subs not used: Carpenter, O'Neill, Gillet, Deen.

Attendance: 1,558.