10:15pm Monday 2nd January 2006
By Paul Wreyford
Notts County 1 Barnet 0 . . .
It was the same old story for Barnet at Meadow Lane this afternoon.
The plot goes something like this: the home team starts in the ascendancy, scores a goal and then sits back as the Bees dominate.
But, even though Dan Martin's near-post header from a Lewis McMahon free-kick came as early as the tenth minute, there was no way back for the Bees this time.
Manager Paul Fairclough said: "We are becoming the experts in this league at having to come back. Time and time again we are shooting ourselves in the foot."
He added: "We are getting mugged because we are conceding sloppy goals. We have to be strong in the first 15 minutes. Having to come from behind is becoming a regular thing."
But Fairclough described the efforts of his players as monumental'.
Indeed, they did everything but score.
The Magpies were forced on to the back foot once they had broken the deadlock and their few chances that followed, particular after the interval, all came on the break.
Unfortunately, it is not happening up front for Barnet at the moment. Just two headed chances fell to Liam Hatch all game and fellow striker Ben Strevens never had a sniff.
With Nicky Bailey and Paolo Vernazza pulling the strings in midfield, it still looked only a matter of time, but a combination of bad luck and a lack of a cutting edge denied the Bees the goal they deserved.
Damian Batt, with a cross-cum-shot that Kevin Pilkington tipped over, and a Vernazza free-kick, which was curled a foot wide, were the best Barnet chances of a one-sided second half.
The final opportunity fell to Dean Sinclair in injury time, but his shot from the edge of the area was always rising.
It was a spirited effort from the Bees, who were missing Ian Hendon, Simon King, Dwane Lee and Giuliano Grazioli, but it means they are still looking for their first win on their travels since the end of August.
BARNET (4-4-2): Flitney; Batt, Yakubu, Charles, Clist; Vernazza, Bowditch (Soares 72), Sinclair, Bailey; Strevens (Norville 66), Hatch. Subs not used: Tynan, Roache, Hickie.
Attendance: 5,249.
Best Bee: Paolo Vernazza.
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