Barnet skipper Charlie MacDonald says having a four days after Tuesday’s defeat at Bristol Rovers is the best thing for the Bees, stating tiredness is in the mind.

The striker was unable to prevent Barnet from slipping to a 2-1 defeat at The Memorial Stadium on Tuesday evening, which sees the Bees’ lead at the Conference summit cut to just six points. Barnet now turn their attention to Saturday's visit from third-placed Macclesfield Town.

And the former Brentford and MK Dons hitman is adamant having another so soon after their last is the ideal scenario.

He explained: “It is the best thing that can happen. The games are coming thick and fast and when you lose a game like that you just want the next one to come really quickly so you can put that one to bed.

“I think you have seen before we have always had that bouncebackability. It is important for us to come back and be strong. We are going to be in front of that home crowd again (against Macclesfield Town) and we need to put on a performance for the whole 90 minutes,” added MacDonald.

The Bees have already played eight midweek league fixtures this season, but Tuesday’s trip to Rovers was the last scheduled between now and the end of the season.

Asked if that would provide the Bees with a welcome break or disturb their momentum, MacDonald mused: “When you are high on confidence and top of the league like we are, tiredness is all in the mind.

“When you are winning games it is not a factor; it is when you are at the bottom, losing games and scrapping, that is when you feel tired and fatigued, so it makes no difference to us whether we are playing Saturday-Tuesday or Saturday-Saturday.”

The Southwark-born striker continued: “We have got these games out the way and I think credit [is due] to the league, they have done really well and got these Tuesday games played before the bad weather kicks in, because I am sure there will be a few cancellations after Christmas.”

Head coach Martin Allen introduced striker Bernard Mensah from the bench as Barnet chased a winner in Bristol on Tuesday, meaning MacDonald moved out to the right, but the experienced goal-getter insists he is not bothered.

“I am happy to play where the gaffer wants me to play,” stated MacDonald. “At the end of the day I am striker and I want to play up front but if the gaffer changes it and needs me to play somewhere else for him then I am happy to do it because it is a team game, we are all in it together and we have all got that aim of promotion.”