Barnet boss Martin Allen admitted the Bees had to try something different after falling two goals behind at home to Dover Athletic but stated he was satisfied with a point.

The draw means the Bees end 2014 seven points clear of Bristol Rovers in second, whilst for The Whites, it extends a run which has seen them unbeaten in 15 league and cup fixtures.

Goals from Tom Murphy and Stefan Payne put Chris Kinnear’s side 2-0 up inside 20 minutes, with the Bees struggling to cause the visitors any problems defensively.

However second-half efforts from Curtis Weston and John Akinde ensured a point for Allen’s side, who went close to taking all three on several occasions. 

Speaking after the game, Allen stated: “We had to try something different because we were not making any headway. Their back five were dominating and we just could not get through it. All the crosses going into the box – and there were numerous – they just cleared everything.

“In the second half that changed when we changed the formation again and changed our way of playing and we played with more intensity and wore them down.”

Allen expanded: “We changed it for the last 15 minutes of the first half to play a diamond with Luisma (Villa) playing behind the front two. (Sam) Togwell dropped in front of the back four and Cooky (Lee Cook) came back to play a bit deeper, so we played a diamond shape to get Luisma on the ball further up the pitch.”

The Bees might have taken all three points after drawing level with 14 minutes left on the clock but Allen was content with a share of the spoils.

He mused: “It is satisfaction with the point at this moment in time. I think they have only lost one in 15 and they are playing comfortable football; they are not going to go up, they are not going to go down. They are not playing with any pressure.

“They are playing pressure free and stress free. When you are up the top of the league all season like we have been, then it is a different life to everyone else’s.”

And the Bees boss was quick to refute the idea he had made a rousing half-time speech to inspire his side ahead of the second period.

He said: “We had some good chances at the back end of the first half and at 2-0 we did not play that badly. What did I say? I suppose you are all expecting some super-duper speech, well I did not. We just chatted really and said we all know we have got to play a little bit better.

“It got through and we got a good point – a really pleasing result.”

You can read the match report from the draw by clicking here.