Player-coach Graham Stack lavished praise on captain Andy Yiadom as he scored his fifth goal of the season in Barnet’s 3-0 win at Newport County on Tuesday evening.

The versatile Yiadom got the ball rolling for the Bees after nine minutes. Mark Randall tucked home from close-range when John Akinde saw a penalty saved by Joe Day on the stroke of half time.

Akinde wasn’t to be denied, though, and added the Bees’ third in the 69th minute when he headed home Luke Gambin’s cross.

Speaking to the club’s website, Stack said: “He’s such a versatile player; he’s played left back, right back, central midfield and wide right in recent weeks.

“Andy’s a really key player for us – he’s our captain and he’s very influential. He’s got a fantastic attitude and he runs himself into the ground during games.

“Andy did that again today, and he’s a credit to the team. He led the team brilliantly today.”

Stack, who helped assistant coach Gary Waddock in the dugout with Martin Allen at home suffering from flu, was also encourage by the team’s performance.

He said: “I thought it was an excellent team performance from start to finish.

“Individually and collectively I thought that the team were excellent. We worked hard defensively and our attacking play was good as well.

“John Akinde was outstanding – he was a real outlet for us. He was a huge handful, and he was unplayable really.

“But collectively the whole team were outstanding. We played in the right areas – that was key today.

“We got the ball forward and played some brilliant football at times. But we mixed it up and were direct when we needed to be.”

Click here to read the match report from Rodney Parade.