Martin Allen attributed Barnet’s improved second-half display against Southport to a change of style as the Bees scored three times to go eight points clear at the summit.

Charlie MacDonald put Barnet ahead in the first half before Luisma Villa drilled home a second after the restart. John Akinde then slotted home the Bees’ third before Sam Muggleton scored his first professional goal at the death.

And with Bristol Rovers not in action, the win sees Barnet re-open an eight-point lead atop the Conference.

The Bees struggled to control the game for long periods, something Allen addressed by changing his side’s approach: “They (Southport) were losing 1-0 so they were bound to step it up, gamble and leave it a little bit more open.

“They pressured us higher up the pitch. So we had to change our style of play and go a little bit more direct. When we went a little bit more direct the spaces and the gaps were there for all to see. But we earned those gaps because of the way we played in the first half.

Allen added: “We have got players that will score goals when the game opens up and that is exactly what happened.”

Understandably the Bees boss felt the win was especially important following back-to-back defeat at Lincoln City and Grimsby Town.

Allen said: “It was good for the players. Obviously it has been a testing couple of weeks with not getting any points from the two away games we have just played.

“I think it was good for the supporters as well. There is no doubt the majority of supporters will have looked at the last two games with no points and thought, ‘Oh my God’.

“But to be fair to all our players they have worked very hard in training this week, and I don’t mean physically, but we have tried to help them, support them and guide them.

“I thought there were some fantastic performances individually, a good effort collectively and the atmosphere in the second half was good.”

One of Barnet’s two changes saw Jack Saville replace David Stephens at centre-back, a decision Allen admitted had been difficult to make.

He explained: “David has done very well but we have mixed and changed around our centre-backs throughout the season.

“We have conceded seven goals in the last two games so I thought something had to change. It is very difficult to leave David out because he is such a good trainer and a really good lad. I am very proud of him as a person and how he works really hard at his game.

“But I thought it would be a bit better for the balance today to be playing out from the back with a left footer and a right footer, rather than two right footers.”

Read the match report from Barnet’s resounding 4-0 win over Southport by clicking here.