Barnet suffered their fourth consecutive defeat at the hands of play-off chasing Wycombe Wanderers, with a 2-0 loss the product of the Bees' inability to convert opportunities and being punished for defensive lapses.

Rossi Eames, who stepped up to replace departing Head Coach Kevin Nugent following the defeat at Exeter City on Good Friday, made three changes to the side with Campbell-Ryce, Curtis Weston and Fumnaya Shomotun, who were all on the bench at St James Park, in the starting line-up.

Both sides sought an early goal with Adebayo Akinfenwa immediately looking dangerous for the visitors with Campbell-Ryce and Elliott Johnson making inroads down the left flank.

Keeper Jamie Stephens needed to be alert to keep out a crisp drive from Scott Kashket as Wycombe started to exert some dominance.

In the 21st minute the Chairboys took the lead. Johnson lost control of the ball as he approached the half-way line and Sam Saunders immediately sensed that Stephens could be beaten, and with a well-aimed and strong shot he found the back of the net from 40 yards.

Barnet responded immediately and the visitors can thank their keeper Jamal Blackman, on loan from Chelsea, for a fine double save from Shomotun with the Barnet teenager poised to level the scores from close range.

The first half finished with the home side on the offensive with the Bees looking a less fragile outfit than they have in recent weeks.

Both sides resisted the temptation to make any changes during the interval but it was Wycombe who looked likely in the opening exchanges of the second-half to extend their lead with the Barnet defence working overtime.

As the second period progressed and with skipper Weston influential in midfield Barnet were able to open up the Wycombe defence with Mauro Vilhete and Johnson getting their shots away and from a Campbell-Ryce cross Vilhete was a whisker away from heading home a leveller.

Weston and substitute Ruben Bover both had efforts strike the woodwork and a headed effort from defender Charlie Clough also had the Wycombe defence concerned.

Matt Bloomfield blasted over the bar for the visitors when well positioned but a soft penalty conceded by Weston when he was harshly adjudged to have felled Garry Thompson in the 90th minute, which Joe Jacobson duly converted, would put the game beyond Barnet’s reach.

This was a more coherent display by the Bees, but they will continue to find it difficult in the three remaining matches of the season to secure victories if they make elementary errors in defence and fail to be more ruthless and clinical in front of goal.

Barnet: Stephens, H Taylor, Clough, Santos, Johnson, Campbell-Ryce, J Taylor, Weston, Vilhete (S Akinde 85), J Akinde, Shomotun (Bover 63).

Unused: Nelson, Vickers, Coulson, Fonguck, Tutonda.