Bailey sends Barnet top

7:14pm Saturday 20th August 2005

Barnet 1 Macclesfield Town 0 . . .

Nicky Bailey scored midway through the first half to send Barnet top of League Two.

But manager Paul Fairclough said afterwards: "We still haven't hit our ceiling yet."

He believes there is even better to come.

"I'm just very proud of my players," he said. "They just continue to amaze me."

Fairclough was particularly pleased with his side's first clean sheet in the Football League.

He added: "I think the first half was a bit sloppy from both teams. We allowed them too much space, but it was a great goal.

"We should have scored three more goals in the second half, but I'm delighted we kept them (Macclesfield) out."

Barnet were good value for the win. Apart from a promising start from the visitors, the Bees created all the best chances and should have added to Bailey's third goal in consecutive games.

The midfielder was fed by Giuliano Grazioli. The Macclesfield defence looked for offside, but there was no flag and Bailey, with time and space, picked his spot with a low drive from the edge of the area.

Alan Russell forced Scott Tynan to save at his near post at the other end and Tony Barass also saw a header pushed out by the keeper.

But it was Barnet who looked the likelier to score again and they came out with even more purpose in the second half.

Dean Sinclair had three good efforts. He almost caught the visitors napping at a corner but keeper Alan Fettis pushed out his snapshot. He then drilled another just past the post and then shot wide after a corner was only half cleared.

Ben Strevens was next to try his luck with a rising shot from the edge of the box, but Ferris this time tipped it over.

Russell blazed over at the other end when presented with a rare chance, but, though the Silkmen kept plugging away, all the best chances were still falling to the Bees.

Richard Graham was set up by Grazioli with nine minutes to go, but the keeper pulled off the best of his saves.

The final chance fell to Grazioli but he shot straight into the arms of Ferris after Graham had returned the compliment.

Macclesfield were unable to launch a late onslaught and the Bees held on with ease to replace Leyton Orient at the top of the table.

BARNET (4-5-1): Tynan; Hendon, King, Charles, Gross; Strevens, Sinclair, Bailey, Lee, Graham; Grazioli (Norville 88). Subs not used: Flitney, Batt, Bowditch, Roache.

Attendance: 2,005.