Martin Allen's Barnet bus stalled in a 2-1 defeat at Plymouth Argyle this evening in League Two

Ahead in the 30th minute through Aaron McLean, the Bees failed to capitalise on their advantage and after coughing and spluttering as Graham Carey equalised in the 53rd minute, they ground to a half as Jake Jervis struck seven minutes later.

On Monday Allen had stated he would make changes for the Bees’ trip to Devon and went as far as to say he would set his side out in a 4-5-1 system.

It is fair to say, though, that Allen has displayed something of a penchant for making deliberately misleading statements in the build-up to games in the past and so it proved on this occasion as he named an unchanged 18 in the same 4-2-3-1 system which won against Dagenham & Redbridge on Saturday.

That meant Andy Yiadom continued at right-back whilst Michael Nelson once again partnered Bondz N’Gala at centre-back in the absence of Bira Dembele.

Michael Gash played behind John Akinde with Luke Gambin and McLean on the left and right flanks respectively.

Chances were at a premium in the first half and one Barnet foray into the penalty area saw Gambin booked for simulation after playing a one-two with skipper Curtis Weston before going down in the Plymouth box.

After half an hour the Bees went in front with their first clear-cut chance, contravening Allen’s pre-match assertions about being defensive.

Weston charged down the left-hand side before cutting back for McLean to fire into the roof of the net with his left to notch his second goal in black and amber.

Hosts Plymouth had a handful of chances to level prior to the break but Reuben Reid thrice passed up the opportunity to equalise, first heading wide before shooting into the sizeable frame of Bondz N’Gala a couple of minutes later.

The former West Bromwich Albion striker came closer still when he received Carey’s through ball, shooting low only to find Max Crocombe equal to his effort.

A minute before half time Allen made a change, introducing Mauro Vilhete in place of goalscorer McLean, who had been booked early on for leaving something on Pilgrims keeper Luke McCormick as he cleared away.

Gavin Hoyte was introduced at half-time for the Bees in place of the other player to be cautioned in the first period, Gambin, meaning Yiadom moved forward into midfield and Vilhete switched to the left-hand side.

Barnet ought to have doubled their lead early in the second half when they somehow contrived to pass up three good chances – profligacy they would ultimately be punished for.

Akinde had the first, going through only to shoot against the inside of McCormick’s post. Vilhete then picked up the baton but saw his curled effort cleared off the line by Argyle skipper Curtis Nelson before Gash volleyed comfortably wide.

Those chances came back to haunt Barnet within a minute as Reid cut back for Carey to lash home his fifth goal of the season from 20 yards.

Seven minutes later the turnaround was complete as Gregg Wylde broke down the left-hand flank before crossing slightly behind Jervis, who did well to hook beyond Crocombe to give Derek Adams’ side the lead for the first time.

After that flurry of goalmouth action, chances were limited in the final half an hour with Nelson heading over before Akinde headed in only to see the linesman’s flag raised against him.

The Bees threw everything at Plymouth in injury time, going closest when Vilhete hit the crossbar with a deflected effort.

But to no avail, and Barnet will take their search for a first away win of the season to Wimbledon on Saturday.

Barnet: Crocombe; Yiadom, N'Gala, Nelson, Johnson; Togwell, Weston (c); McLean (Vilhete 43), Gash (Champion 65), Gambin (Hoyte HT); Akinde.

Subs: Stephens (GK), Champion, Muggleton, Shomotun, Odoffin.

Plymouth Argyle: McCormick; Mellor, Nelson (c), Hartley, Sawyer; Simpson, Boateng; Jervis, Wylde (Brunt 81), Carey (Tanner 73); Reid (Threkeld 73).

Subs: Tyler (GK), Cox, Harvey, Purrington.

Referee: Simon Hooper.

Attendance: 6,115 (69 away supporters).