Barnet head coach Martin Allen admitted the Bees’ 1-0 win at Dartford was far from spectacular but heaped praise on his side’s rearguard action as they nullified the Darts to hold onto top spot.

Curtis Weston scored the game’s only goal after half an hour, racing onto John Akinde’s knock-down to drill home his ninth goal of the season and fourth in as many away trips.

Tony Burman’s side did not manage a shot on target in 90 minutes and came closest when Ryan Hayes hit the inside of both posts in the first half.

Speaking afterwards, Allen admitted it had not been a classic victory for his side, who sit a point clear of Bristol Rovers at the Conference summit following the Gas’ 3-0 win at Kidderminster Harriers.

He said: “It was not spectacular but at the moment it is just doing our job.

"We moved a lot of players around so a lot of players that did not play the other day played today but I have got total confidence in every player they can do their job and they did it.

“It was a difficult game. We knew Dartford were fighting for their lives. I don’t think our goalkeeper (Graham Stack) had a save to make during the game so a clean sheet away from home [is pleasing],” he added.

Bees stopper Stack has been underworked in each of the last thre, conceding just once – a penalty in the 1-1 draw at Alfreton Town – and Allen believes his team are due credit for their improved defence.

He reasoned: “You have got to give credit to our players because we stopped them getting in. Part of the job of coaching is stopping the opposition and that is what they did.

“One of the reasons we put Jack Saville on for the last ten minutes [in recent games] is because the opposition, like they did today, just played with three stood up on the halfway line and all three were big’uns. And when the free-kicks, corners and long throws are coming you need big fellas in there to come in and attack them.”

Allen added: “People see it as negative but I don’t, you are nullifying the opposition’s attack. If you make a chess move you have got to do something to respond, you can’t just ignore it and hope they don’t score.

“That is where Jack has come in and done so well. And with Gash in our team, he offers us another defensive header of the ball because set plays have been our downfall at times in the last few minutes of games.”

There was also praise for match-winner Weston, who has now hit the back of the net four times in his last six outings, with five of his eight league strikes coming away from The Hive this term.

“Curtis has been a fantastic player since I have been here,” enthused Allen. “He is such a down-to-earth guy, he has got massive talent and I think he probably just needed someone to believe in him, some help and some guidance.”

You can read the match report from Barnet’s win at Princes Park by clicking here.