Two second-half penalties from John Akinde saw Barnet claim three points in their desperate fight against relegation as they beat Crewe Alexandra 2-1.

The Bees took the lead early in the second period only to be pinned back when Harry McKirdy poached an equaliser. But the home side rallied and dramatically scored the winner with just three minutes of normal time remaining.

Barnet boss Martin Allen recalled veteran centre-back Michael Nelson and gave a start to Simeon Akinola on the left flank, with Jack Taylor and Andre Blackman missing out.

The hosts opened promisingly when Curtis Weston found Richard Brindley attacking down the right, with the advancing full-back quickly delivering the ball into the box.

The Bees had a ninth-minute penalty appeal turned down when Alex Nicholls appeared to have been impeded when he was about to shoot but referee Lee Swabey was not convinced.

Both sides were finding clear-cut chances difficult to come by during the first half, although Akinola had cut in from the left and his right-footed shot was narrowly wide of the target.

A Callum Ainley volley from the edge of the box that was well saved by Craig Ross was the closest that the Railwayman came to scoring in the first half.

With the interval looming, the Bees then almost forged ahead in a goalmouth scramble but their opponents eventually cleared the danger.

Barnet were defensively sound in the first half, with Dan Sweeney positioned just in front of the back four and repeatedly making important tackles and interceptions and then quickly getting the ball forward.

Within six minutes of the resumption Barnet went ahead. Following neat inter-play Akinola was crudely felled by James Jones, giving referee Swabey no alternative but to award a spot-kick.

Akinde kept his nerve and calmly placed the ball into the corner of the net.

The visitors then enjoyed their best spell of the match as they sought a leveller and just after the hour mark with the Barnet defence cut open, Ross excelled to keep out a Paul Green effort.

It was not against the run of play when Alex drew level. The home side paid the price for failing to effect a clearance from a free-kick with the ball falling invitingly for McKirdy, who forced the ball over the line from close range.

With a win vital if a successful campaign against relegation is to be fought Allen then made two significant substitutions.

Forward Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro and Fumnaya Shomotun were called upon to give their weight and width to the attack as Barnet again went in search of a much-needed goal.

Akpa Akpro then hit the bar with a thunderous shot with Shomotun wide out on the right flank stretching the visitors’ defence.

But in the 87th minute James Ray unnecessarily clattered into Shaq Coulthirst for another undisputed penalty. Again Akinde kept his composure and found the top right-hand corner to put the Bees ahead once more.

The Bees then needed to hold firm with five additional minutes being added on. But Allen’s men would not be denied and at the final whistle their efforts were rightfully rewarded with prolonged applause.

In a couple of weeks new manager Allen has fashioned this Barnet team in his own image. They are now hard-working, resolute and well-organised and with six matches remaining the thought that the Bees can avoid the drop is amazingly alive.

Barnet: Ross, Brindley, Santos, Nelson (Shomotun 77), Tutonda, Nicholls (Akpa Akpro 74), Sweeney, Watson, Akinola (Coulthirst 59), Weston, Akinde.