Barnet boss Dean Brennan hailed his side's togetherness and character after a late win over AFC Fylde at The Hive in midweek.

Bees fell behind in the opening seconds as Danny Whitehead struck for the visitors, but Fylde were reduced to 10 men when Siyabonga Ligendza was dismissed for a second bookable offence on 71 minutes.

And Callum Stead levelled with a low shot before Nicke Kabamba, after hitting a post, netted in the dying seconds to seal a 2-1 victory.

"Football is not easy, this is why everyone loves the sport," Brennan told the club website.

"They made it really difficult for us, got a lot of bodies behind the ball, we knew they'd play on the counter, and to concede after 15 seconds was just criminal from us. But we just kept going.

"At half-time I said sometimes you have to win late, the top teams win late and we managed to do that and I'm really proud of the lads.

"Our discipline and performance second half was outstanding.

"Brilliant team performance, brilliant character and we moved the ball really well at times against a real stringent side that just come here to get out with a point.

"The biggest thing is the togetherness we've got at this club. We've created it. It doesn't just happen, it takes time."

Brennan had special praise for his two goalscorers, having sent Stead on just before the hour mark to join Kabamba in attack.

"He [Stead] came off the bench, we didn't want to flog him, he hasn't started many this season," he added.

"He's only getting used to full-time football, he's only been doing it three months.

"But good impact on the game. He's game, he'll run hard and it was a great finish, he controlled his finish really well. I'm delighted for the kid.

"I'm delighted for Nicke. I pulled him over with 15 minutes to go and said 'keep getting in the right positions, you'll get one chance'. And he got it and took it."

Bees head to Dorking to play in front of the live TV cameras on Saturday (5.30pm), with Brennan suggesting there might be some surprises to the line-up.

"We'll see who is fit and who is not," he said.

"There could be some surprises in the selection because of the situation we have at the minute, with several players picking up injuries.

"But this is going to happen. I think that was our seventh game in four and a half weeks, that's a little bit heavy, but this is English football, it's what we love about it."

The club announced the signing of experienced attacker Gary Hooper, 35, before kick-off on Tuesday and Brennan hailed the new arrival.

"I saw Aaron McLean when we played Aldershot and he said he's been playing five-a-side with Hoops, he's back in the country," added the boss.

"Hoops was a young 16-year-old lad that played for Grays when I was there, 24-25 years of age I was back then.

"I've always kept in contact with him, he's a fox in the box, a lethal striker, and he's in great nick.

"His last club was in Dubai, he's been abroad for a few years, and we managed to get a deal. He's a great kid and I think he'll add experience to our club.

"He's so different to what we've got and he's a lethal finisher, so I'm delighted to get that done. 

"He's a great character, a really good lad, and it's a great signing, a real coup for the club.

"Several EFL clubs were after him but it's good for him, his location where he lives.

"We've got to build up his fitness, he hasn't played a competitive game for a couple of months, but he is quite a naturally fit lad and he's got a lot of experience which will add to the group.

"Nicke, Steady will learn from this player, he's a seasoned player, he's had a fantastic career.

"I remember his debut when he was 16, a long time ago in 2004 and he has gone on to do great things, obviously for Celtic, I supported Celtic. He's going to be a real asset to us."