Bees call the Shots

10:00am Monday 28th February 2005

Barnet 2 Aldershot Town 1 . . .

Barnet edged a pulsating encounter to move a step closer to the Football League.

After three straight defeats, this was the perfect response by Paul Fairclough's troops.

Goals from Ben Strevens and Giuliano Grazioli gave them the cushion they needed to survive a spirited Aldershot fightback.

The only sour note was the sending off of Dean Sinclair for a second bookable offence with some 15 minutes to go.

The Bees were holding on come the final whistle, but were worthy winners.

Manager Paul Fairclough said: "It was all about resilience and character today.

"We really wanted to hold on to what we had got. It was a great heroic performance from everybody. We stayed strong right until the end.

"People were beginning to doubt us but we've responded and that's the main thing."

He added: "I've thought long and hard about strengthening the team, but these are the same players that got us in this position and I'm delighted we kept faith in them. They were magnificent."

This was a cracking contest that had just about everything.

Barnet had the better of the first half, but had to wait until the 20th minute before the opener, Strevens lashing home from close range after Richard Graham had sent over an inviting cross from the byline.

Earlier Scott Tynan had pulled off a superb double save to deny Jon Challinor and Claudio Cacares.

Barnet started the second half well and Sinclair just failed to meet an Ian Hendon cross when just a touch was all that was required.

The crucial second came on the hour. Graham intercepted a poor Tarkan Mustafa pass and then skinned his opponent before crossing for Grazioli to volley past Bull.

But the Shots gave themselves a lifeline just three minutes later, Sills knocking a Cacares cross into the path of debutant Jake Robinson, who beat Tynan from close in.

Sinclair was then sent off after retaliating to a foul by Sills.

Aldershot sensed an equaliser and sub Scott Rendell saw a glancing header from a corner strike the post in injury time, but the Bees held on.

BARNET (4-4-2): Tynan; Hendon, King, Yakubu, Clist; Strevens, Bailey, Sinclair, Graham; Grazioli (Hatch 81), Roache (Lee 76). Subs not used: Gore, Charles, Lopez.

Attendance: 2,839.

Best Bee: Ben Strevens.