Barnet returned to winning ways after four consecutive defeats to comfortably see off the challenge of relegation-threatened Hartlepool United at Victoria Park with a 2-0 win.

Barnet's goals came in the second-half with John Akinde and substitute Simeon Akinola each scoring within a five-minute period when the Bees turned their territorial advantage into a concrete lead. 

Caretaker boss Rossi Eames made three changes to his team that had been defeated at the Hive the week before with Josh Vickers, Michael Nelson and Ruben Bover winning recalls at the expense of Jamie Stephens, Ricardo Santos and Mauro Vilhete.

With Newport County steadily improving Hartlepool knew that the outcome of this game could prove crucial in their fight to avoid relegation to the National League.

The Bees were quickly into their stride and it was clear that the home side were suffering from a severe lack of confidence. 

Akinde headed over the bar when he was well positioned and then Michael Nelson shocked the away support with a half-volley from 20 yards that crashed against an upright.

Jack Taylor and Akinde again went close to breaking the deadlock and giving the Bees a deserved lead.

Fumnaya Shomotun was proving difficult to handle with his trickery and speed of thought causing problems for the Hartlepool rearguard.

Barnet were creating chances almost at will and dominating possession but with the match scoreless at the interval there was the fear that the home side possibly buoyed by a rallying half-time team-talk would be a different proposition in the second-half.

Any fears of this nature were soon allayed with Hartlepool continuing to be unable to find any rhythm or cohesion in their play.

The Bees with almost a swagger about their play, and with their opponents in disarray, a Barnet goal seemed inevitable.

The home fans, whilst supporting their team when they showed signs of life, were quick to find fault whenever moves broke down, which all added to the sense that the Bees were heading for their eighth away win of the season.

Shomotun, a forward who has been given more game time under Eames, came close on two occasions to scoring his first goals of the season.

Nathan Thomas got Pools' first shot on target after 64 minutes but Vickers was totally untroubled.

The Bees eventually took the lead in the 66th minute when Curtis Weston’s astute pass found Akinde who blasted the ball home in some style. 

This was Akinde’s 25th goal of season and his 48th in the Football League for Barnet, making him the club’s all-time top goalscorer at League level.

Jamal Campbell-Ryce just five minutes later provided Akinola to find the back of the net with relegation now looming even larger for Hartlepool.

The game was over as a contest as the home side threw in the towel with Barnet in total control.

Akinde missed a penalty for the Bees late on and had the sides been separated by three goals or more it would have been a fairer indication of the disparity between the outfits.

This defeat puts Hartlepool into the relegation zone with just two games remaining; the Pool now needing to rely on others faltering if they are to hang onto their League status.

Barnet have been rejuvenated in the two games since Eames took charge and whilst the quality of the opposition needs to be accounted for, any away victory in League 2 is hard fought and worth celebrating.

Barnet: Vickers; H Taylor, Nelson, Clough, Johnson; Campbell-Ryce, Weston, J Taylor (Fonguck 89), Bover (Champion 65); Shomotun (Akinola 65), J Akinde.

Unused: S Akinde, Santos, Coulson, McKenzie-Lyle.