Up against it: Barnet's Albert Adomah attempts to block a Nick Fenton shot during Tuesday night's 4-1 hammering at Grimsby Town.
Grimsby Town 4 Barnet 1 . . .
Coca-Cola League Two . . .
"Grim" was indeed the word for another miserable night at Blundell Park.
All that was missing was the Grim Reaper himself, coming to inform the fast-faltering Bees that time is running out.
Yes, Barnet have games in hand, and they should still have enough to save themselves from the dreaded drop, but they looked like a side that did not believe it on Tuesday.
There was much talk before the game about the Bees' dreadful record against the Mariners. After five games since returning to the Football League, the aggregate score stood at 13-0 in Grimsby's favour.
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Though Cliff Akurang finally broke Barnet's duck with a late consolation, 17-1 looks even worse.
And the hosts could have had even more. There was little doubt that keeper Lee Harrison, in for the injured Rob Beckwith, was the visitors' man of the match.
He pulled off some superb saves and could not really be blamed for any of the goals.
Manager Paul Fairclough refused to blame injuries and suspensions. As well as Beckwith, defender Kenny Gillet and striker Adam Birchall failed fitness tests, joining the banned Jason Puncheon and Michael Leary on the sidelines.
Fairclough said: "We were a few players light because of injury, but that is no excuse, as I believe we have a squad strong enough to cope with that situation.
"We lost against a very good Grimsby side who deserved their victory."
You could not argue with that. The Mariners coped far better with the swirling wind, playing incisive and dynamic football.
Though Barnet had plenty of possession, they lacked the cutting edge and only really created half-chances. That has been the story of the last few weeks.
In contrast, Town looked a threat whenever they got near the visiting box.
Giuliano Grazioli, making a rare starting appearance, was presented with a fair number of opportunities for the visitors, but, not surprisingly, lacked sharpness, though he was very unlucky with a near-post header late in the second half, which he was convinced had crossed the line before keeper Phil Barnes palmed it out.
Akurang also plugged away, without much reward. His goal ten minutes from time (the striker rising to head home a Nicky Nicolau cross from close range) came far too late, the Mariners already three up at that stage.
There had not been much between the two sides in the opening half hour, but the home side's opener and another goal just before the interval knocked the stuffing out of Barnet.
Nick Hegarty played a one-two with Martin Butler before firing past Harrison, and then Butler got on the scoresheet himself, latching on to a long throw into the box and, with his back to goal, holding off the challenge of Ismail Yakubu before rifling the ball into the roof of the net from eight yards.
The third goal came ten minutes after the restart, Paul Bolland charging down a Nicolau clearance and running through to slot the ball past Harrison.
Akurang restored some pride with his header, but sub Andy Taylor was freed to add a crushing fourth five minutes from time.
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