It wasn’t particularly pretty but Barnet showed their battling qualities to record a 1-1 draw against Bristol Rovers.

Ricky Holmes put the Bees ahead with a fine solo effort nine minutes into the contest but Matt Harrold levelled in the second half..

Liam O'Brien produced several good saves in the second period to sure that the points would be shared.

Mark Robson made four changes to his side as Mark Byrne, Curtis Weston, Barry Fuller and Jack Saville started in place of Clovis Kamdjo, Freddie Warren, Ahmed Abdulla and Oliver Lee.

Barnet beganthe brighter of the two sides and came close to breaking the deadlock early on as Andy Yiadom flicked a header wide from a corner.

Thanks to a short rain shower before kick off, the pitch was slick and the Bees moved the ball quickly in the opening exchanges and deservedly went ahead.

Holmes received a pass on the halfway line with his back to goal. Not much of a threat. But he spun Adam Virgo brilliantly and sprinted half the pitch before firing a left footed effort past Sam Walker.

Following the goal, Barnet sat back and the Pirates began to enjoy more possession without threatening the Bees goalkeeper Liam O’Brien.

Holmes continued to cause the visitor’s defence problems and drew several fouls in the final third.

Another good run from Holmes found Anthony Edgar in space. He laid the ball back to the edge of the box for Byrne but his left footed effort was blocked.

From the resulting corner Rovers broke away and Seanan Clucas forced O’Brien into a good stop from range.

In the closing minutes of the opening period, O’Brien produced a fine save to keep his side level.

A deep cross found Clucas and he timed his volley perfectly. The ball was heading into the corner but O’Brien did magnificently to turn it away from goal. At the start of the second period, David Clarkson flicked a cross narrowly past O’Brien’s post. It was a warning for the Bees.

However, nine minutes after the restart Rovers levelled.

Robson will be unhappy with the time Harrold had as he powerfully headed a corner past O’Brien.

The Barnet keeper then produced two good stops to deny Harrold and Elliot Richards putting their side ahead.

The Bees continued to come under pressure and again O’Brien had to react well to divert another effort from Richards wide.

The hosts had rarely threatened in the second half as they found it difficult to break through the Rovers defence.

While the visitors looked the better side they didn’t look like scoring the decisive goal in the final ten minutes.

Byrne came very close with a left footed effort from 25 yards before Bees substitute Jake Hyde came close with a header that required Walker to tip the ball over the crossbar.

A point apiece was probably a fair reflection as both teams battled well throughout.

The Bees are back at Underhill on Saturday when they entertain York City.

Barnet: O’Brien; Fuller, Saville, Fortune, Brown; Yiadom, Byrne, Weston, Edgar; Nurse, Holmes.

Barnet substitutes: Cowler, Kamdjo, Warren, Lee, Abdulla, Hyde, Sykes.

Bristol Rovers: Walker; Parks, Virgo, Richards, Paterson; Smith, Clucas, Gill, Brown; Clarkson, Harrold.

Bristol Rovers substitutes:, Broghammer, Norburn, Anyinsah, Brown, Clarke, Gough.

Attendance: 1,794 (236).