A second-half penalty from John Akinde gave Barnet a deserved pre-season friendly victory over Ipswich Town of the Championship at The Hive on Wednesday evening.

Both sides selected strong line-ups to start the match although the Bees did use six substitutes during the second-half whilst the Tractor Boys changed their whole side at half-time.

The Barnet home crowd were given their first glimpse of the summer signings with right-winger Ryan Watson making the most favourable impression with an all-action display.

Trialist Jean-Louis Akpo Akpro also did his prospects no harm as the forward formed a dangerous looking partnership with Akinde.

The Bees had the edge in the first-half although both outfits were having difficulty in creating genuine goalscoring opportunities.

Watson should have put the home side ahead in the 16th minute following good work on the left by Luke Gambin but the ex-Leicester City player blazed his shot over the bar from close range when well positioned.

Just before the end of the first period the visitors looked set to take the lead when an Adam McDonnell effort was well parried by the veteran stopper Graham Stack.

In the second-half Sam Togwell, in the centre of Barnet’s midfield, was increasingly influential with his incisive passing keeping the Bees moving forward.

The winning goal came in the 68th minute when a penalty was awarded after Akinde had been unceremoniously bundled over by the Ipswich keeper Dean Gerkin.

Barnet’s top scorer last season had looked to capitalise on an under-hit back pass and the decision to award the spot-kick was uncontested.

Akinde’s calmly taken penalty would ultimately separate the two sides and although the visitors did rally after the set-back having a number of headed attempts on goal, the Barnet rearguard with Michael Nelson leading by example, held firm till the final whistle.

Barnet: Graham Stack, Elliot Johnson, Bondz N’Gala, Michael Nelson, Ryan Watson (Wesley Fonguck 74), Harry Taylor (Alie Sesay 82), Sam Togwell, Curtis Weston (Nana Kyei 62), Luke Gambin (Alex Nicholls 66), John Akinde (Tom Day 70), Jean-Louis Akpo Akpro (Michael Gash 56). Unused sub: Kai McKenzie-Lyle.

Att: 803