Barnet’s performance did not merit Tuesday's 2-1 defeat by Peterborough United and that was a fact recognised by boss Martin Allen, who afterwards said it was their best showing of pre-season and likened it to last season.

Barnet caused their League One visitors plenty of problems going forward in the first half and should have built a healthy lead before the break.

Instead they went in goalless – with Posh having offered next to nothing offensively – before conceding two goals after the break before Michael Gash thumped home a well-taken volley seconds before full time.

If Saturday’s action-less stalemate at Maidenhead United was a setback in the Bees’ preparations for League Two, this was a boost and Allen knew it.

“On Saturday at Maidenhead you could say it was a little bit flat, that would be a fair description,” he admitted. “I thought we lacked that bit of tenacity. Tonight you had it full on, they (Peterborough United) could not move, they could not play out and they could not play how they wanted to play.

“We were on top, we looked powerful and we looked strong. That is the way we played last season and it was great to watch; I was delighted with it,” he enthused.

The Bees boss has not held back in his assessment of pre-season performances so far. He was not enamoured by the display in a comfortable win over Hungerford Town but lifted by the 5-3 defeat to Premier League Crystal Palace.

This performance topped the lot, though, and asked if it had been the best of pre-season, Allen was unanimous.

“Without a shadow of doubt,” he replied. “It is coming together nicely.

“It also showed some of the new players who were not playing that is how we play; that is what we do. We are very fit, we are relentless, we are strong and we play forward, run forward, close down, work high and keep going all the time.”

You can read further thoughts from Allen on Tuesday's clash by clicking here. The match report from The Hive is available here.