Barnet’s Under-18 side have become the first Bees’ youth team to claim a league title after winning the Football League Youth Alliance South East division, crushing Dagenham & Redbridge 8-1.

The young Bees headed into their penultimate game of the season knowing as long as they bettered the result of second-placed MK Dons they would secure the title.

MK Dons were beaten 6-3 by Peterborough United meaning the title went to the Bees, who play their final league game against Gillingham at The Hive on Tuesday.

Shane Cojocarel scored the Bees’ opener with a solo effort and it was not long before Matt Stevens nodded home a Elliott Harris cross to double the lead.

Harris then turned scorer, advancing into the box to thrash home the third. Stevens then helped himself to a second with a sublime chip.

The former Reading youngster added to his ever-expanding goal tally by completing his hat-trick with a low shot.

Stevens then grabbed a fourth, with Keir Dickson and Jake Knight weighing in to make it 8-0.

The Daggers got one back but it was not enough to make a difference to the outcome, with Barnet’s win meaning the Dons would have to beat Peterborough to delay to virtually inevitable by three days.

In the end, the Posh did their bit and Barnet secured the title in emphatic fashion.

The Bees will now compete in the Merit League One against the rest of the top six, which included MK Dons, Luton Town, Peterborough, Watford and Southend United before today’s round of games.