Barnet boss Martin Allen has declared there will be no talk of new contracts for any players until the current season is over, with the Bees a point clear at the Conference summit.

A resounding 5-0 victory over relegation-threatened Welling United at The Hive was enough to send Allen’s men back to the summit at Bristol Rovers’ expense on Saturday.

The Gas had themselves won 3-1 against Aldershot Town 24 hours earlier to temporarily move back ahead of the Bees in what promises to be a back-and-forth race to get into the Football League.

Michael Gash starred in Barnet’s victory over the Wings, making one and scoring another himself to bring his tally in black and amber up to three since signing until the end of the season in January.

Bees head coach Allen had been at pains to state the former Cambridge United striker had been signed as backup to Charlie MacDonald and John Akinde but his recent performances, coupled with MacDonald’s injury, have seen him feature with increasing regularity.

Asked if the 28-year-old was now making a strong case to extend his stay in Edgware beyond the end of the current campaign, Allen refused to be drawn.

He stated: “[There have been] no decisions and no thoughts, nothing will come into my mind regarding any player until the season has been completed. All the players have been told that is the way it is.

“There are to be no discussions, no chats, no questions, no nothing about next season. It is so far from my mind. Our job is to complete all the games we have got to play this season, whether it be six, eight or nine. We will do our job and once that is done we will sit back and work it out once we have had a long chat with the chairman.”

It was Gash who made Barnet’s second, flicking on a Graham Stack clearance for John Akinde to race onto and net. Mauro Vilhete had opened the scoring and Akinde soon tucked home his 31st goal in all competitions from the penalty spot.

Gash then bagged the fourth, blasting beyond Wings goalkeeper Jon Henly after demonstrating great determination to create the opportunity before Luisma Villa’s deflected effort rounded off the scoring.

Assessing the impact of the ex-Kidderminster Harriers forward, Allen said: “Gash is a good player; he is a better player than I actually thought he was when he came here. He is really popular in the dressing room and he has done a fantastic job.

“I did not play him at Eastleigh and I should have perhaps played him at Halifax from the start. When he came on at Halifax he changed the game and we do all know Gash can change the game when he comes on as a sub.

“He played, led the line well and worked well with John (Akinde),” added Allen.

With six games to go the Bees boss still refuses to be drawn on the title race and claimed to avoid all form of interaction with the news when asked about Bristol Rovers’ result the night before.

“I am lucky enough now being only 39,” he joked. “I have got the experience to focus on our players. I don’t read the newspapers, I don’t go on any forums – I don’t read anything. All I do is go and do my garden, walk the dog and train my players. I have not even got a television now.

“There is no point, I can’t do anything with it. All you do is get anxious and stressy. I have trained myself not to.”

Allen will have to employ that technique once more on Saturday, with Rovers kicking off at Macclesfield Town two-and-a-half hours before the Bees at Alfreton Town.