Exactly twelve months after FC Halifax Town put paid to Barnet’s scant play-off hopes at The Hive, the Bees all but ended their Yorkshire opponents’ top-five aspirations by cruising to a 3-0 victory.

Mauro Vilhete, somewhat fortuitously, put Barnet ahead after two minutes with a sliced effort before John Akinde added his customary goal to enhance the Bees’ lead in the 44th minute, breaking Gary Bull's club record of 30 goals in a Conference season in the process. 

Curtis Weston grabbed the third from close range after 61 minutes to take the game away from Halifax.

Little changes at the Conference summit due to Bristol Rovers’ win over Southport but Grimsby Town’s home defeat to Wrexham means the Mariners cannot afford to drop a point if they wish to overhaul the Bees or the Gas.

There were two alterations for Barnet, who welcomed back Andy Yiadom and Sam Togwell. Lee Cook and Sam Muggleton made way, with Cook not included in the matchday 16.

Vilhete returned to the right-hand side of midfield with Conor Clifford on the left-hand flank.

After Martin Allen’s conceded the Bees would struggle to play the same free-flowing football they had on their way to the Conference summit it was a much-improved showing from his side.

And it took just two minutes to settle any nerves as Vilhete opened the scoring with his third goal of the season.

Elliott Johnson progressed down the left-hand flank before teeing up an inviting cross which found its way to Yiadom on the edge of the area. The England ‘C’ international saw his thunderous volley blocked but Vilhete was on-hand to slice over the reach of goalkeeper Matt Glennon.

The Bees were well on top and Graham Stack caught more rays than footballs as the home side took the game to Halifax.

Clifford, though designated as a left-sided midfielder, drifted inside more often than not and nearly doubled the lead on one such occasion but only crashed against the bar from 25 yards, just as he had done at Dartford on Monday.

Akinde had a strong penalty appeal turned down after half an hour when he ghosted in behind the Halifax defence but referee Brett Huxtable was unmoved despite Marc Roberts’ challenge from behind.

The big number nine fizzed narrowly over from the edge of the penalty area after good hold-up play from striker partner Michael Gash.

However, Akinde was not to be denied his 31st league strike of a record-breaking season for long.

And just before half-time he capitalised on an ill-advised backpass from Scott McManus and raced into the penalty area to poke beyond the onrushing Glennon and hand Barnet a thoroughly-deserved 2-0 lead at the break.

The Bees started the second half as they had the first but it took until the hour mark to kill the game off with a third.

Following a lengthy delay after Halifax substitute Jamie Jackson crashed into the hoardings, Yiadom advanced into the penalty area and cut back for Weston to tuck in his fifth goal in seven games.

A fourth should really have followed in the 70th minute when Vilhete received a one-two from Akinde but contrived to sweep well over the bar from 12 yards.

Substitute Luke Gambin very nearly made an instant impact, winning possession before scampering into enough space to test Glennon with a thumping left-footed drive which the Halifax stopper did well to beat away.

Barnet continued to push for another goal and substitute Charlie MacDonald went close but saw his low shot pushed away by Glennon before Roberts nodded Gambin's teasing cross away from underneath the crossbar.

Barnet: Stack; Yiadom, Stephens, N'Gala, Johnson; Vilhete (Gambin 86), Togwell, Weston (Luisma 86), Clifford; Akinde (MacDonald 81), Gash.

Subs: Saville, Muggleton.

FC Halifax Town: Glennon; Bolton, M. Roberts, Williams, Hutchinson (Jackson 21); Maynard, Pearson, Hatfield (Schofield HT), McManus; Hattersley (Boden 83), Muldoon.

Subs: Senior (GK), K. Roberts.

Referee: Brett Huxtable.

Attendance: 2,150 (131 away supporters).