Barnet boss Martin Allen insists he never expected a 'pretty' game after Barnet’s 0-0 draw at Concord Rangers in the FA Trophy, but anticipates a different encounter in Tuesday’s replay.

The Bees were held to a goalless draw on Canvey Island and will now host Danny Crowley’s Conference South side on Tuesday at The Hive where Allen is expecting an all together different affair.

He mused: “I don’t think it was a great pitch to play too much football on – I don’t think anyone could deny that. You have to adapt and so we came here with a game plan to play a certain way and let’s not beat about the bush, we weren’t going to be passing around the back four or passing around our own half on a pitch like that.

“I will be the first to say it was never going to be a pretty game of football, there were never going to be too many passes. The ball was very difficult to move for dribbling players because the grass is long and it was muddy.

Allen continued: “We had to get behind them and each time we did get behind them we nearly scored. I think we had three or four good opportunities from making those passes.”

“Set plays, I thought, were always going to be important but we did not maximise those but it will be different on Tuesday.”

The Bees head coach handed full debuts to Under-18s pair Harry Taylor and Joe Gater, whilst Charlie Kennedy made his professional bow from the bench and Matt Stevens was also introduced as a second-half replacement.

Reflecting on the contribution of the youth team quartet, Allen enthused: “It was a very difficult game for them to come and play in, there is no doubt about it. They were playing a very big, strong, men’s team and there is a massive difference between where they play and coming to play here today.

“But through the whole week I have had these young players I have loved taking them training and working with them on Tuesday against Dagenham. I loved working with them on Thursday and Friday in preparation for this game and I think all the young players have done really well.”

Allen also played tribute to the Beach Boys, who created several excellent chances of their own without stretching their visitors throughout the contest.

“What I do like about Concord Rangers is every player in their team and management is totally committed; they all know exactly what they are doing; they play with fire and they play with desire,” stated Allen.

“You can see why their results recently have been very good – they are very strong. They have big players, tall players, good in the air and strong all round – it makes it difficult.

“We knew it was going to be like this, so in some ways you have got to give our players some credit for coming through it, especially with the young lads playing. But it will be a different game on Tuesday night – that is for sure.”

You can read the match report from today’s stalemate by clicking here.