Dean Brennan took the positives from Barnet’s impressive performance despite the last-gasp 1-0 home defeat to Notts County on Saturday.
The Bees – who went into the game on a five-match unbeaten run – controlled the majority of the 90 minutes and should have been ahead at half-time after Lee Ndlovu and Danny Collinge both struck the woodwork early on.
Brennan’s side continued to lay siege to the Notts County goal and twice came within inches of victory, but Magpies’ goalkeeper Kelle Roos pulled off a pair of outstanding saves to deny Romoney Crichlow-Noble and Emmanuel Osadebe.
Tyrese Hall then found space in the Barnet box with seconds of added time to go before tapping home the winner to break the Bees’ hearts.
“I thought we were excellent without the last little bit, without the icing on the cake. We made a nice cake, but we didn’t get to eat it in the end,” Brennan told the club website post-match.
“It got smashed in our face right at the end, but our reaction to the goal we conceded late was fantastic too. We had three corners and plenty of entries, and we got back on the front foot. That was a good sign for me after conceding the way we did.
“We’ve had no luck in the opposition’s box, but you earn your luck, and full credit to Notts County. They dug in deep and made blocks, made saves when they had to, so it’s just one of them days for us.”
A first-half onslaught on the Magpies’ goal looked certain to see the Bees over the line in another dominant home performance, but a lack of cutting edge in the final phase of attack cost Brennan’s side on the day, as Hall capitalised on some tired Barnet legs late on to take all three points for the visitors.
Brennan continued: “You have to score when you’re on top in this business. It’s happened to us several times where we’ve been really dominant in the first half, and we haven’t gained a big enough lead.
“We managed to do that against Grimsby, and we managed to do it here in the last game against Accrington, where we got a lead and scored. They’re huge moments, and goals give you a boost as well and give the lads a bit of confidence.
“But I never thought we dropped our heads. Our supporters got behind us and kept pushing us forward, and there were lots of strong performances [from the players].”
Hall’s late winner was a sucker punch to Brennan, but the Barnet boss refused to criticise the collective effort of his players.
He added: “There’s a lot of luck involved in the goal, but to be fair to him [Hall], he had a good first touch. He composed himself and poked it home. I would have liked our goalie to make a save there, because he didn’t need to make a save all game.
“I don’t think we did a lot wrong today apart from not scoring enough goals.”
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