Despite John Akinde giving the Bees a lead in the 11th minute a second-half capitulation saw Exeter City go above Barnet in the League Two table and plunge the Bees into the relegation zone.

Martin Allen made four changes to the side that had been narrowly defeated at Doncaster Rovers last weekend: Jamie Stephens, Curtis Weston, Harry Taylor and Alex Nichols being re-instated at the expense of Josh Vickers, Bondz N’Gala, Sam Togwell and Jean-Louis Akpa-Akpro.

The visitors were the first to threaten when a lob from Reuben Reid was just wide of the target in the second minute but the Bees responded with Sam Muggleton’s long throw causing concern in the Exeter rearguard.

Akinde went close after a Muggleton throw was flicked on by Bira Dembele but Barnet’s top scorer would find the net a moment later when his powerful header from a well-struck Ryan Watson corner gave the Bees the lead.

Exeter responded with a good headed effort from Jordan Moore-Taylor but Taylor was on hand to clear the danger, albeit at the expense of a corner.

The home side were unable to extend their advantage during the first-half and while not playing with great fluency all the signs were that the Bees would enjoy a half-time lead.

In the 40th minute an Akinde header missed by inches, but within minutes the visitors were level.

Two minutes before the break Barnet had ample opportunity to clear the ball but their failure to do so would see the ball fall invitingly for Jake Taylor who fairly thumped a beauty into the net from 25 yards.

Buoyed by their leveller Exeter continued to push forward and within 11 minutes of the restart the Grecians had a two goal advantage.

In the 50th minute the skilful midfielder Lee Holmes slotted home after an astute back-heel from Reid and six minutes later Exeter went further ahead.

Stephens, the Barnet keeper, spilled a shot from Ollie Watkins and David Wheeler bundled the ball over the line from close range.

The Bees were now in disarray and while Exeter exuded confidence on the ball Barnet repeatedly gave away possession cheaply.

The Bees did occasionally threaten, a delightful cross from the left by Shaun Batt should have been converted and a surging run out of defence by Mauro Vilhete ended with an effort on goal, but any remote hope of a comeback was extinguished with Exeter’s fourth goal.

Referee Michael Salisbury awarded a penalty when Vilhete upended Taylor, although the offence appeared to have occurred outside of the penalty area.

Reid dispatched the spot-kick to the delight of the travelling Devonians and both sides were happy to hear final whistle, for contrasting reasons.

If the Bees were adequate in the first 45 minutes their display in the second-half certainly gives cause for concern and once they went behind anxiety permeated and stifled their play.

Barnet are next in action at Wycombe Wanderers on 22nd October.

Barnet: Stephens, H. Taylor, Nelson, Dembele, Vilhete, Campbell-Ryce (Akpa Akpro 48), Weston, Watson, Muggleton (Batt 61), Akinde, Nicholls (Gambin 68).

Unused subs: McKenzie-Lyle, N'Gala, Tomlinson, J. Taylor.

Att: 1,640 (360 Exeter fans)