Barnet overcame letting a two-goal lead slip to secure their place in the first round of the FA Cup with a 4-2 victory over Braintree Town.

John Still’s men looked to be easing through after going 2-0 up inside the opening 15 minutes, but a goal just before the break gave Braintree a foothold and they were to level midway inside the second half.

However, that was as good as it got for the visitors as the Bees safely advanced with a further two goals.

Having named an unchanged side from the team that beat Solihull 2-0 last time out, Still saw his charges get off to a flyer when David Tutonda fired home at the far post after Josh Walker fizzed a low ball across goal.

That lead was soon doubled when Jack Taylor converted from close range after a Manny Duku effort had been blocked.

Braintree got back into the game just before the break when Reece Grant forced the ball over the line, and they were to level when a Jon Muleba cross found Lyle Della-Verde, who volleyed in the equaliser from close range.

The outcome was in the balance at that point but Barnet were to get their noses back in front after 79 minutes when Elliott Johnson marked his return from injury by nodding home a fine Cheye Alexander delivery at the far post.

And it was Alexander who made sure his side would be in tomorrow’s first round draw when he netted his first goal for the club with a free-kick from outside the area.

Barnet: Cousins; Alexander, Robson, Adams, J Taylor (Mason-Clark), Fonguck, Walker, Tutonda (Johnson), Sweeney, Jules, Duku (Barham). Subs not used: Matrevics, Tarpey, Sparkes, Elito.