Barnet boss Martin Allen was left confused as to his side's slow start as they drew 1-1 with Colchester on Saturday.

The Bees had started positively in recent weeks, scoring in the opening minute at Newport – albeit before the game was called off at half-time – and keeping Mansfield Town at bay in their two most recent away games.

But Allen's side took a good 15 minutes to get into gear on Saturday, falling behind to Tariq Fosu-Henry's fifth-minute strike, and looking off the pace in the early stages.

Allen said: "There’s a loyal following who make a lot of noise for their team here, and they didn’t get what they pay for – that’s my responsibility.

I’ll have to have a think about why that is, because in the two away games at MK Dons and Mansfield we’ve been superb as a team.

"Sometimes when you don’t play well and get a point you have to say 'that was alright, we’ll take that.'"

Allen's disappointment was so evident that he hauled off summer signing Alex Nicholls in the 33rd minute, more a victim of circumstance than poor form, and gave Jamal Campbell-Ryce the chance to shine on the right of midfield – which he duly accepted.

"We were much more positive in the second half, we played higher and got closer to them to stop them playing," Allen added. 

"We had some counter-attacks where the final pass didn’t come off, and numerous set-pieces, which were rubbish.

"It’s a bit of a sigh of relief, you have to be grateful for every point you get – you always do. How many games have we seen peter out to 1-0, everyone goes home unhappy.”