Barnet took a small step towards safety with a hard-earned point in a goalless stalemate at Meadow Lane this afternoon.
With County below them in the table, it was important the Bees never lost this.
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However, it was the visitors who looked the likelier to find a winner, particularly in the second half, which they dominated, County having completely lost their way after an even first period.
Though they enjoyed lots of possession, the Bees only really created half chances and never got much luck in front of goal.
Barnet made just one change from the side that lost to Peterborough on Tuesday, Nicky Nicolau coming in for the suspended Jason Puncheon.
County started the better and Mike Edwards had a chance in the second minute, but he failed to keep his header down from a corner.
At the other end, Cliff Akurang went on a fine run, bursting into the box, though he was driven out wide and his shot proved no problem for keeper Russell Hoult.
The best chance of a lively opening ten minutes fell to Ryan Jarvis. The striker was put through on goal, but Rob Beckwith made a brilliant stop with his legs.
The Bees gradually began to get into the game. Adam Birchall shot on the turn after good work from Nicolau on the left, but Hoult was well positioned.
Nicolau then put in a superb ball across the face of the goal. Strangely, it was left-back Kenny Gillet who popped up on the right, but, with just Hoult to beat, the Frenchman saw the keeper push his first-time shot away. It was a great chance and Gillet knew it, the defender punching the air in frustration.
Both sides were playing their part, despite a fierce wind to contend with, making for an open contest.
There was a blow for the visitors on the half-hour, when Beckwith had to be replaced by Lee Harrison, the first-choice keeper hobbling off with an injury.
Further stoppages disrupted the flow of the game somewhat and there were no further chances until a couple of minutes from the break.
Danny Crow shot just over from the edge of the box, while Edwards, from a corner, saw a close-range effort deflected over, as the Magpies enjoyed a good spell of pressure.
The first chance of the second half fell to Barnet and Akurang, the striker, under pressure, failing to keep an effort from 12 yards down.
However, it was a decent start from the Bees, with the hosts pinned in their own half. Certainly, Barnet were making it quite clear they were not content to just sit back and hold on for a point.
A corner in the 57th minute caused the hosts further problems, but the ball would not run for the visitors and the Magpies eventually cleared.
There was a growing sense that the game was turning in Barnet's favour, the home fans starting to berate their own players.
The Bees were doing all the pressing, Ismail Yakubu sending a header at the near post over from a Josh Wright corner midway through the half.
Another nice Barnet move ended with Albert Adomah hitting a half volley just wide, even though Hoult looked to have had it covered.
It took County until ten minutes from time for their first real effort of the second period, Yakubu blocking a Spencer Weir-Daley volley.
The Bees were still looking the likelier to find a winner, but, at times, looked like they were trying to walk the ball in, rather than having a crack.
In the end, neither side could make the breakthrough and both had to settle for a point.
A point away from home is very welcome, however yet again no goals and seemingly created very little as well.
Well done to all the Bees fans made the effort to go.
A point away from home is very welcome, however yet again no goals and seemingly created very little as well.
Well done to all the Bees fans made the effort to go.
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