Martin Allen labelled The Bees’ crucial 2-1 win at Eastleigh a “proper Barnet performance” but claimed there has been no celebration after returning to the Conference summit.

Barnet’s victory in Hampshire, coupled with Bristol Rovers’ 2-2 draw at FC Halifax Town, means Allen’s side return to the summit on goal difference ahead of Tuesday’s trip to The Shay.

Curtis Weston put the visitors in front with a deflected volley after half an hour before John Akinde doubled the lead after the break with a well-taken goal.

A penalty from former Bee Ben Strevens made for a nervy final ten minutes but Barnet held on to claim a potentially pivotal three points in the title race.

Reflecting on the win, Allen said: “There have been no celebrations, no joyous champagne thrown around the dressing room.

“We were not going to win the league today and we were not going to lose the game today. It is another game, three points and now we have to go up north on Tuesday.”

He added: “That was back to a proper Barnet performance.”

Eastleigh, themselves desperately in need of points to secure a play-off berth, threw everything at The Bees’ goal in the final ten minutes but were denied by the excellent Graham Stack and a last-ditch clearance from Jack Saville.

Asked if the final ten minutes – and subsequent six minutes of injury time – had been nervy, Allen joked: “I do not think the last 15 minutes were nervy or edgy.

"I think they only had two cleared off the line, I think our goalkeeper only made two unbelievable saves and I think we only threw ourselves in front of six shots that looked like they were going in. I do not think it was that scary.”

He did however pay tribute to player-coach Stack, who preserved the points for Barnet with an excellent first-half save from Jack Midson and a reaction block from Craig Stanley in the second.

“He has had a remarkable season, Graham Stack,” remarked Allen. “He has been brilliant helping me with no staff. He has really taken on board another job. Today I would say, with all due respect to the rest of our players, he was outstanding.”

You can read the match report from The Silverlake Stadium by clicking here.