Bees seal sensational win (From Times Series)

Bees seal sensational win

12:03pm Thursday 11th August 2005 in

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Northampton Town 1 Barnet 2
Coca-Cola League Two

"I love half-times," Paul Fairclough revealed after masterminding a sensational fightback at the Sixfields Stadium on Tuesday night.

The Cobblers had the Bees reeling in the opening 45 minutes and they looked like they were in for a massive beating against the title favourites.

But this was a game of two halves (or three if you include the 30-minute delay due to floodlight failure) and Barnet took control in the second period.

Fairclough said: "Half-times give you opportunities to readjust and re-establish things, and there were two of them. Northampton were fantastic in the first half and we were fortunate to be only one down.

"But we showed tremendous character. We sensed they were becoming concerned and took advantage of that."

The Cobblers will wonder how they lost their grip on the game. The first half was one-way traffic and they played some scintillating football, creating numerous chances.

Lawrence Dudfield broke the deadlock on 32 minutes with a neat flick header at the near post from a David Hunt free-kick, while Eric Sabin almost added a second with a thunderous grasscutter that cracked against the foot of Scott Tynan's post.

But Barnet turned on the style after the break with Fairclough describing the goals as formidable'.

Dean Sinclair got the Bees back on terms on 56 minutes, finishing off a quality move. Giuliano Grazioli expertly steered a Richard Graham ball into his path and the midfielder took one touch before stroking it past the keeper from just six yards.

The lights went out on Barnet four minutes later but, when the match resumed, the visitors had lost none of their momentum. Sinclair saw a rasping drive turned over and Dwane Lee volleyed across the face of goal.

Just two minutes remained when Nicky Bailey burst past a couple of sluggish defenders and drilled a low left-foot shot into the far corner for a superb individual strike.

BARNET (4-5-1): Tynan; Hendon, King, Yakubu (Gross 27), Charles; Strevens, Lee, Sinclair, Bailey, Graham (Norville 90); Grazioli (Hatch 89). Subs not used: Flitney, Soares. Attendance: 5,817.
Best Bee: Dean Sinclair.