Barnet continue to be impressive in their pre-season fixtures, this time recording a 2-0 victory over League One Gillingham at The Hive.

Head coach Martin Allen was facing the team that he'd led to the League Two title in 2013 with the Gills starting line-up including former Bees Josh Wright and Mark Byrne.

The home side were good value for their win with second-half goals from John Akinde and new signing Kevin Nicholls.

The visitors had started well with plenty of possession but rarely did they look able to make a breakthrough.

One opportunity did fall to Rory Donnelly but Barnet keeper Kai McKenzie-Lyle managed to get a hand to the shot to parry the effort.

The high temperatures prompted the match officials to sanction a first-half water break as the thermometer nudged 30 degrees.

Akinde and the Gills' centre-backs were having a keen physical contest but Barnet's top-scorer from last season was working hard for his openings and chances were coming his way.

Barnet winger Luke Gambin looked capable of getting himself into good positions with his speed and skill.

As the Bees swept forward Akinde broke the deadlock to put Barnet ahead with 56 minutes gone, confidently finding the back of the net at the far post from a Harry Taylor centre.

The home side would then extend their advantage on 67 minutes when Akinde intelligently passed the ball to the eager Nicholls, who slotted it home past Stuart Nelson in the Gillingham goal.

A trademark curling effort from Gillingham's Byrne was then easily dealt with by McKenzie-Lyle but the visitors were struggling to force their way back into the game.

Indeed the final score could have been ever more convincing for the Bees had a late attempt on goal by Jean-Louis Akpa Akrpo found the target when he was set up by the ever-dangerous Akinde.

Barnet: McKenzie-Lyle, Taylor, Nelson, Dembele, Johnson, Watson (Gash 55), Togwell, Weston (Sesay 89), Gambin (Akpa Akpro 70), Nicholls (N'Gala 82), Akinde (Muggleton 86). Subs not used: Joseph, Day, Mason-Clark.