Barnet have lost back-to-back league games for the first time this season after succumbing to a 3-1 defeat at Grimsby Town this afternoon.

The Bees will now wait to see if their six-point lead at the summit is cut, with second-placed Bristol Rovers travelling to Woking later this afternoon.

In an end-to-end first 15 minutes the Bees went in front via a John Akinde penalty but were pegged back by an Ollie Palmer strike and a penalty from Lenell John-Lewis to trail 2-1 at the break.

Jack Mackreth scored a third shortly after the restart, sealing the points for the Mariners, who were unquestionably the better side on the day.

Martin Allen made two changes from the side beaten at Lincoln City, bringing David Hunt and Mauro Vilhete into the side. Andy Yiadom pushed onto the right-hand side of midfield, with the injured Elliott Johnson missing out and Luisma Villa on the bench.

New signing Michael Gash started – as promised – amongst the substitutes after his midweek signing.

Graham Stack began in goal for the Bees, protected by a back four of Hunt, David Stephens, Bondz N’Gala and Vilhete.

Yiadom, Curtis Weston, Sam Togwell and Lee Cook comprised the midfield, with Charlie MacDonald and John Akinde up top.

The Mariners made one change; Jack Mackreth replacing Craig Clay in midfield.

Barnet wasted no time in taking the lead, seizing the initiative after just six minutes to go in front. Akinde barged his way into the penalty area only to be tripped, earning the Bees a penalty.

The ever-reliable striker stepped up to convert himself, rolling the ball past Mariners goalkeeper James McKeown to score his 24th of the season.

It took the hosts just six minutes to get on level terms. Following some penalty-area pinball – which Barnet will not want to see again after passing up more than one opportunity to clear – Palmer rifled an instinctive first-time effort into the roof of Stack’s net.

A breathless first quarter of an hour continued as little over three minutes later, Paul Hurst’s men went in front with a spot kick of their own.

Following a throw on down the left, Stephens was adjudged to have fouled John-Lewis inside the 18-yard box and the popular Mariners striker crashed home the resulting kick to complete the quick-fire turnaround.

Barnet had been far from their best throughout the first half but nearly forced an equaliser midway through the opening period when N’Gala hooked a Togwell corner narrowly wide on the run.

A tantalising Cook cross from the left just evaded the stretching Togwell, whilst the home side were fortunate to survive a decent penalty shout for handball from a corner.

The visitors were struggling to trouble McKeown in the hosts’ goal but came closest when Cook floated a cross onto the roof of the net with the Town keeper beaten and Stephens lurking on the goal line.

Allen made a tactical switch before the half was out, moving Yiadom into his preferred right-back role, with Hunt partnering Togwell in midfield and Weston moving out to the right.

The Bees number eight saw his half end prematurely after receiving treatment for a heavy kick to the head.

Weston did not return for the second period with the blow to his head forcing Allen’s hand. Keanu Marsh-Brown was introduced in his place on the right-hand side of midfield.

Barnet showed a marked improvement in the opening minutes following the restart, winning a succession of corners and coming closest when Yiadom saw a drive from distance deflected wide.

But all of the Bees’ good work was undone when after eight second-half minutes, the Mariners added a third.

A cross whipped into the penalty area was flicked on by Palmer and Mackreth was on hand to stab home from close range.

New signing Gash was thrown on for his Barnet debut ten minutes into the second half, replacing captain MacDonald up front.

The Bees were posing more of a threat than in the first half and Vilhete ought to have done better on the hour mark when he weaved between two Grimsby players and dragged his shot low into McKeown’s grasp.

Palmer almost killed the game off seconds later when he was slotted through but Stack stood up well and blocked the striker’s low shot with an outstretched foot.

Akinde was fortunate to escape with a booking for a poor challenge on Shaun Pearson with 15 minutes remaining, the referee opting for leniency in his punishment.

John-Lewis could have finished the game a couple of minutes later, taking a long ball down on his chest and bringing a good near-post save out of Stack with a half-volley.

The Mariners striker passed up another opportunity to extend his side’s lead when he curled wide of the top corner after taking his time to pick his spot.

It mattered not though, as the Mariners closed out the game without appearing unduly flustered.

Grimsby Town: McKeown; Parslow, Nsiala, Pearson, Magnay; Mackreth, Brown (Clay 80), Disley, Arnold; John-Lewis, Palmer (Pittman 85).

Subs: Bignot, Hannah, McLaughlin.

Barnet: Stack; Hunt (Luisma 65), Stephens, N'Gala, Vilhete; Yiadom, Togwell, Weston (Marsh-Brown HT), Cook; Akinde, MacDonald (Gash 55).

Subs: Saville, Muggleton.

Referee: Mr S Bennett.

Attendance: 3,116 (87 away supporters).