Barnet's Wembley dream ended by Robins (From Times Series)

Barnet's Wembley dream ended after a 1-0 defeat against Swindon Town in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy Southern area final second leg.

9:46pm Tuesday 7th February 2012 in Sport By Adam Newson

Barnet’s hopes of silverware and a Wembley appearance were dashed as Swindon Town claimed a 1-0 victory in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Southern area final.

A single goal from Alan Connell proved enough for the Robins who in truth deserved their slender victory.

The result meant Swindon won the tie 2-1 on aggregate and they will now face Chesterfield at Wembley on March 25.

Lawrie Sanchez named an unchanged Bees’ side while Paolo Di Canio brought back Raffaele De Vita, Simon Ferry and Alan Connell in place of Oliver Risser, Ronan Murray and Luke Rooney.

Both teams quickly settled into the contest and an early Ricky Holmes shot into the side netting proved that Barnet could be a threat in the game.

Following the open start the hosts began to dominate possession and a Matt Ritchie deflected strike forced Dean Brill into a routine stop.

However, it proved a temporary reprieve for Barnet as the hosts took the lead in the tie, and the match, after 17 minutes.

Di Canio’s side worked the ball down the left flank and Paul Caddis whipped in a deep cross which was met by Connell.

The striker rose above Michael Hector and Paul Downing to direct his header across Brill into the bttom corner.

Barnet struggled to get control of the ball in the opening period and were relying on long passes to top scorer Izale McLeod.

However, the Robins defence dealt with the threat with ease and McLeod cut a frustrated figure up front.

As the half drew towards a close Swindon created two chances to extend their lead.

First Raffaele De Vita broke free down the right flank and was through with Brill. The midfielder failed to get the ball fully under control and by the time he got his shot away the Bees’ stopper saved well from a tight angle.

Then moments before the break a free kick from Ritchie was flicked goalwards by Paul Benson only for Brill to get down well and save keeping just one goal between the sides at the break.

The second half began with the Bees on the front foot.

Sam Deering sent an early 20-yard shot towards goal that required Wes Foderingham to be alert to save.

Holmes looked lively throughout and he forced Foderingham into a second save in quick succession.

Sanchez decided to make a change 12 minutes after the restart. The Bees boss introduced Jordan Obita in place of Clovis Kamdjo.

Moments after the change Barnet nearly fell further behind as a shot from distance from Jonathan Smith required Brill to dive full length to tip the ball away.

But the visitor’s threat dwindled and Swindon again began to use the ball better than their opponents.

The impressive Ritchie nearly got his name on the scoresheet in spectacular style. A deep cross found the Robins’ midfielder whose volley flew just wide of the post.

Chances continued to be created by the hosts but while the introduction of Obita had livened up the Bees attack they didn’t really look like scoring.

Five minutes before full time Barnet’s hopes of forcing a penalty shoot-out took a blow as Charlie Taylor, who had only been on the pitch ten minutes, was sent off for deliberating kneeing Risser.

It was the last major incident of the contest and it would be Swindon going to Wembley on March 25 to face Chesterfield.

The Bees will be looking to extract revenge on Swindon as the Robins visit Underhill this Saturday in league action.

Swindon Town: Foderingham; Caddis, Devera, McCormack, Kennedy, Ritchie, Ferry, J.Smith, De Vita, Benson, Connell.

Swindon Town substitutes: P.Smith, Risser, Cibocchi, Magera, Murray.

Barnet: Brill; Hector, Downing, Dennehy, Saville; Byrne, Hughes, Kamdjo, Deering; Holmes, McLeod.

Barnet substitutes: O’Brien, Taylor, Hajrovic, Mustoe, Obita.