On the weekend Bristol Rovers finally suffered their first defeat since October, Barnet were unable to capitalise, losing 3-1 at home to Forest Green Rovers.

Bristol Rovers were beaten by Eastleigh – Barnet’s opponents next weekend – but the Bees, having taken the lead, were undone by two goals in six minutes, leaving them two points behind The Gas.

Martin Allen labelled the performance against Grimsby Town at The Hive a fortnight ago a ‘magnolia paint performance’ in his programme notes but if this display had to be summed up in a colour, it would be red.

With nine games to play, the warning signs are there for the Bees, who could end up jostling for play-off positions if they do not re-kindle their form of last year and soon.

John Akinde put the Bees ahead with his 28th of the season and tenth penalty before Dale Bennett fired in the equaliser for Rovers.

And in the 67th minute Jon Parkin was allowed to steal in to put the visitors ahead. Kurtis Guthrie hammered the final nail in Barnet’s coffin soon after to make it 3-1.

Allen made three changes from the side which was victorious at Altrincham, bringing in the fit-again Andy Yiadom, Jack Saville and Lee Cook.

Out went Mauro Vilhete, Bondz N’Gala and Sam Muggleton, with Elliott Johnson reverting to left-back. There was also a spot on the bench for Jon Nurse, the player-coach having been sidelined since the win at Torquay United on December 6.

Graham Stack was in goal, protected by a back four of Yiadom, David Stephens, Saville and Johnson. Luisma Villa, Curtis Weston, Conor Clifford and Cook were in midfield, with John Akinde and Michael Gash the strike duo.

After becoming increasingly direct in recent weeks, Barnet reverted to the style which had served them so well earlier in the season; passing, moving and taking the game to Rovers from the word go.

That change in tact was almost rewarded after just 60 seconds when the dangerous Cook, who had begun on the right-hand side, darted down the flank and cut back only to see his delivery stabbed wide unconvincingly by Rovers’ Charlie Clough.

Two minutes later it was Luisma’s turn to threaten the visitors, cutting in from the left and cracking a low right-footed effort from 25 yards which goalkeeper Steve Arnold had to get down to.

It had been an excellent start from Allen’s side, who were rewarded for their bold start when they took the lead after seven minutes.

Stephens hooked a hopeful ball – little more – into a dangerous area and as he has done time and time again this season, Akinde set the cat amongst the pigeons, forcing Arnold into making contact and drawing the penalty.

Referee David Rock had no hesitation in awarding a spot kick and Akinde duly rolled home from the spot with the utmost nonchalance.

Barnet kept up the pressure, Cook cutting in from the right and driving a low left-footed effort towards the near post which required saving.

Ady Pennock’s side had offered nothing but drew level against the run of play after 25 minutes. Former Watford defender Bennett wriggled beyond two defenders, the ball ricocheting off of Saville and allowing the full-back to drive into the top left-hand corner.

The goal did little to boost The Green Army, with Barnet remaining on top, Luisma to the fore. The Spanish maverick planted a free-kick narrowly wide of top left-hand corner before heading on the roof of the net.

But the ex-Racing Santander man came closest from another dipping set piece; Arnold catching the ball before almost succeeding in dropping the ball over the line.

The visitors threatened briefly from a free-kick which Aarran Racine met headed away goal in first-half injury time.

Barnet started the second period brightly, Akinde dancing into the penalty area and prodding narrowly wide of the far post from an acute angle.

Next Johnson drove down the left and crossed for Yiadom, who saw his header held by Arnold.

Forest Green responded via Elliott Frear, who drove low against the post.

In the 67th minute the visitors went in front for the first time. Gash lost possession deep in the Rovers half and the Bees were quickly pulled out of position as the result of several unsuccessful challenges.

Stuart Fleetwood saw his initial shot blocked heroically by Saville but Parkin had been allowed to sneak into the penalty area and side-footed home when the second ball was delivered to the back post.

Six minutes after their second, Forest Green extended their lead. Rob Sinclair swung in a corner from the right and Guthrie rose unchallenged to nod home the third.

Barnet pushed for a route back into the game but Rovers goalkeeper Arnold was untroubled in truth, with a pair of efforts hitting the side netting the closest the Bees came.

Barnet: Stack; Yiadom, Stephens, Saville, Johnson; Villa (Gambin 45), Weston (Togwell 67), Clifford, Cook; Akinde, Gash (Nurse 81).

Subs: N'Gala, Muggleton.

Forest Green Rovers: Arnold; Bennett, Clough, Racine, Kelly; Guthrie (Bender 84), Sinclair, Kamdjo (Pipe 90), Frear; Parkin, Fleetwood (Marwood 78).

Subs: Russell (GK), Coles.

Referee: David Rock.

Attendance: 2,070 (245 away supporters).