John Akinde scored his third hat-trick of the season, breaking the 20-goal barrier and sealing a 3-1 Boxing Day win for Barnet at Aldershot Town.

With the rest of the Bees’ promotion rivals kicking off at 3pm, Barnet temporarily went ten points clear at the Conference summit.

Akinde handed the Bees the lead four minutes before the break when he outmuscled two Shots defenders before finishing coolly. 

The Shots drew level when Jordan Roberts headed home in the 48th minute, but Barnet soon went in front once more when Akinde scored his second. The big number nine completed his treble from the spot in injury time after goalkeeper Phil Smith was sent off. 

Martin Allen made two changes to the side which beat Chester on Saturday, bringing David Stephens and Mauro Vilhete in for Bondz N’Gala and Luisma Villa, who were both amongst the substitutes.

Graham Stack started in goal and was protected by a back four of Andy Yiadom, Stephens, Jack Saville and Elliott Johnson.

Vilhete, Curtis Weston, Sam Togwell and Lee Cook started across the midfield, with Akinde and Charlie MacDonald paired up front.

Shots boss Andy Scott brought nine-goal top-scorer Brett Williams into the side in place of Dan Fitchett, whilst Naby Diallo and Mark Phillips were replaced by Manny Oyeleke and Jaydon Gibbs.

The Bees started slowly, with Aldershot dictating the tempo from the outset, moving the ball around nicely without being able to open up the Barnet backline.

It took until the 18th minute for either side to create a chance of note, with Barnet coming close through Vilhete. After MacDonald’s shot was palmed away by Shots keeper Smith, Vilhete followed in but could not get enough purchase on his effort.

After their sluggish start, Allen’s side began to force their way back into the game by controlling possession and probing patiently without any great success.

However that all changed four minutes before the break when the Bees opted to break down the door instead of trying to deftly pick the lock.

A direct ball forward from Stephens allowed Akinde to hustle and bustle his way into a shooting position, outmuscling centre backs Glenn Wilson and Joe Oastler before nudging underneath Smith.

The goal was Akinde’s 20th of the season in all competitions and brought the game to life, with Aldershot carving out their best opportunity just four minutes later.

Bees keeper Stack tore off his line and with the goal gaping, Williams could only lift an improvised half volley wide of the far post, much to the gloveman’s relief.

The former Arsenal stopper atoned for his error a minute later though, stretching out a leg to deny Brett Holman after the striker found himself clean through on goal in first-half injury time.

It took the hosts just three second-half minutes to draw level. A deep corner from Sam Hatton found Roberts at the far post and he stooped to nod beyond Stack and into the bottom corner.

Immediately from the restart the Bees re-took the lead though. Togwell’s pass picked out the run of Akinde and he pierced the Aldershot backline before firing past Smith from 18 yards to restore Barnet’s advantage.

The Bees almost grabbed a third when Vilhete manufactured enough space with which to test Smith with a left-footed effort from 20 yards which needed saving.

Akinde could have completed his hat-trick shortly after the hour mark when a through ball from Vilhete found him inside the penalty area. The beefy forward shot first time and dragged his attempt inches wide of the far post.

With time running out, both teams were struggling to create a clear-cut opportunity. Shots striker Williams sent an overhead kick wide, whilst Akinde looked to break for the Bees only to misplace his pass with men over.

In injury time Akinde was brought down by the outstretched arms of Smith as he charged into the penalty area. The referee was left with little choice but to dismiss Smith and award the spot kick.

Akinde then stepped up to complete his third treble of the season with, sending substitute goalkeepr Dan Thomas the wrong way and secure the Bees' ninth away win of the season.

Aldershot Town: Smith; Gibbs, Oastler, Wilson (McCollin 70), Barker; Hatton, Roberts, Oyeleke (Thomas 90), Forbes; Williams (Fitchett 87), Holman.

Subs: Diallo, Derry.

Barnet: Stack; Yiadom, Stephens (N’Gala 71), Saville, Johnson; Vilhete, Togwell, Weston (Mensah 90), Cook (Hunt 65); Akinde, MacDonald.

Subs: Luisma, Muggleton.

Referee: Nicholas Kinseley.

Attendance: 1,940 (312 away supporters).