Player-coach Graham Stack had a simple message for the rest of the squad after victory over AFC Telford United: keep winning and Barnet can be Conference champions.

Stack, speaking in place of Martin Allen after a John Akinde treble helped the Bees overcome Telford 3-1, is adamant the squad are not concerning themselves with the results of those sides below them.

Second-placed Grimsby Town conceded a late equaliser at Altrincham, whilst in third place, Gateshead lost to Chester. A place below the Heed, Bristol Rovers could only draw 1-1 with Kidderminster Harriers.

Those results mean the Bees are eight points ahead of the Mariners at the top, but Stack says Barnet’s focus remains on their own results.

The goalkeeper explained: “You have got to be careful looking at other results – you can’t worry about that too much. Don’t get me wrong it is brilliant when you come in and you realise the big boys have lost – that is a given and anyone who tells you any different is lying.

The focus is on us and if we keep winning, we are going to win the league. If for whatever reason we don’t keep winning, then other teams are going to start catching up – it’s not rocket science. It is all about us; our focus is on us and we believe we can go anywhere against anyone in this league, home or away, and make a [good] account of winning any game at this level,” added Stack.

Barnet saw off the threat of bottom of the league Telford, who pushed hard for an equaliser at 2-1, and Stack was quick to acknowledge the qualities which saw the Bees return to winning ways.

He enthused: “It has been a tough week for the group off the back of two defeats in front of our own fans. It takes character, belief and determination, as well as quality, and I think we showed that today. The way we started the game was a great effort all round – which included everyone.

“At times it was hard and we had to dig in and be resilient, because as soon as they got the goal, it gave them a bit of belief. Up until that stage we were relatively untroubled.”

The experienced stopper continued: “You are always in a game when you are a goal behind – there is no two ways about it. Even if you are two down, the next goal is crucial. As soon as they got that goal back it gave them something to hang on to; it gave them belief and they grew in that, gained a bit of momentum and put us under a bit more pressure.

“We tightened up a little bit more after we conceded the goal; we didn’t lose our way for five or six minutes, but it did give them a bit more impetus. But for us to see it through the half time and then re-group and come back out and play the way we did in the second half was a credit [to us].”

You can read the match report from The Hive by clicking here.