Barnet play their penultimate pre-season friendly of the summer away at Eastleigh on Saturday (kick-off 3pm) and the circumstances could not be more different to their last visit.

For starters, the Bees and the Spitfires had divisional parity when Martin Allen’s side visited in March for what was billed as a pivotal fixture in the club’s bid to return to the Football League.

And so it proved, a 2-1 win sending Barnet back to the Conference summit thanks to goals from John Akinde and Curtis Weston. Bristol Rovers scrambled a late point against FC Halifax Town but Allen’s men would remain unbeaten in their next eight to clinch the title.

There were a number of familiar faces in the Eastleigh line-up for Barnet’s last visit to Hampshire and Lee Cook, a key component as the Bees won promotion, has this summer joined the Spitfires following his release from The Hive.

Cook hit eight goals in 32 starts last term, the 32-year-old winger missing just seven league fixtures. He joins former Bees Ross Flitney, Ben Strevens and Jack Midson at The Silverlake Stadium.

Eastleigh have already faced two Football League sides in pre-season, losing 2-0 to the much-fancied Oxford United on Saturday after a 2-1 win over fellow League Two side Newport County three days earlier.

Goalkeeper Flitney will miss Barnet’s visit with injury and former Southampton youngster Michael Poke will likely deputise after joining on loan from Portsmouth.

The Bees have their own goalkeeping concerns with Graham Stack having not featured since the 5-3 defeat by Crystal Palace at the beginning of the month. Allen says the stopper will be fit for the visit to Eastleigh.