A 91st minute goal from John Akinde helped Barnet complete a 2-1 win over Welling United

Barnet went in front midway through the first half. The goal came from an unsurprising source, Akinde.

A Bees corner wasn’t cleared by the Wings’ defence and the striker fired his shot through a crowd of players and into the net.

It was a lead that lasted until just before half time when Joe Healy converted from close range after Graham Stack was unable to hold a awkward free-kick.

The second period was well contested and both sides had chances. It seemed as if the game would end level but Barnet grabbed victory.

A long ball forward dropped to Akinde and he forced his shot under goalkeeper Benji Buchel and into the net.

If Barnet are to win promotion, it is games like this which will define their season.

There was one change made to the Bees side which defeated Chelmsford City in the FA Cup on Tuesday.

Luke Gambin, who impressed in that game, was replaced in the starting XI by Lee Cook.

Barnet started the contest brightly. Cook had an early free-kick punched away by Buchel but the Bees shooting from distance was largely poor.

The visitors did control possession on a poor pitch while Welling relied on long passes forward to Keiron St. Aimie. David Stephens and Bondz N’Gala kept the striker quiet throughout the half.

For their large spells with the ball, the Bees didn’t truly threaten from open play. However, they took the lead in the 25th minute.

A Cook corner was met by Stephens. His effort was blocked but the ball fell to Akinde and the Barnet top scorer lashed home from 12 yards.

The Bees then came close to a second. Mauro Vilhete tricked his way down the wing and clipped a cross to the back post. Akinde rose but couldn’t keep his header down.

Barnet’s tempo with the ball then dropped, as did their defensive line. It allowed Welling more possession and they started to look dangerous.

Healy had an opportunity but saw a weak header cleared by Andy Yiadom while Harry Beautyman’s well controlled volley was easily held by Stack.

Despite not being anywhere near their best, Barnet looked as if they would go into the break in front.

However, one minute before the interval, the hosts drew level. Chris Bush fired a 25-yard free kick towards the Barnet goal.

Stack looked set to collect but the ball bounced awkwardly and he spilt the shot to Healy who bundled his effort over the line.

It was the wake-up call Barnet needed. The Bees came out for the second half with renewed energy but struggled to break down the Welling defence.

Stephens twice headed over from Cook crosses while Luisma Villa saw a free-kick deflected wide of the Wings’ goal.

Welling had offered little threat in the opening minutes of the second period but improved as the half progressed.

And the hosts created three good chances to go ahead.

The ball was first moved to Jake Gallagher eight yards out but Andy Yiadom did excellently to block the midfielder’s shot.

The second fell to substitute striker Jon Nouble but he somehow deflected a cross from Ben Jefford wide from four yards.

And only a combination of Stack and Stephens stopped Beautyman from giving Welling the lead from close range.

Martin Allen introduced Luke Gambin in the closing stages in place of Villa and the tricky winger immediately caused problems with his direct dribbling.

He came close to finding a winner. Gambin attempted a cross, it took a deflection and Buchel tipped the ball over the crossbar.

Returning captain Charlie MacDonald then almost converted a Weston cross but the striker was offside.

The pressure was building. Three minutes were added. Barnet needed just one of those to snatch the three points.

A long pass forward eventually found Akinde. He broke into the area and fired towards goal. The ball struck Buchel’s body and bounced into the roof of the net. Barnet had won it.

Welling United: Buchel, Fyfield, Gallagher, Bush, Beautyman, St. Aimie, Jefford, Williams, Hudson *, Day, Healy.

Welling United substitutes: Henly, Penny, Chambers, Corne.

Barnet: Stack; Yiadom, Stephens, N'Gala, Vilhete (MacDonald 52); Togwell (Hunt 75) Weston, Johnson, Villa (Gambin 85), Cook; Akinde.

Barnet substitutes: Saville, Mekki.

Attendance: 906