While Saturday’s 2-0 result was a relatively routine victory for Luton Town that propelled them to the top of the table, Barnet put in a determined display under new manager Martin Allen that enables supporters to cling to the hope that relegation can be avoided.

A fixture at Kenilworth Road would be difficult for any League Two outfit but when you are propping up the division the task can be daunting. Former boss Graham Westley had expressed his fear at facing the Hatters, but Allen’s Bees were resilient and organised with the home side needing to put in a good display to ensure victory.

The new boss changed both personnel and formation. Centre-back Charlie Clough returned, new skipper Dan Sweeney was re-positioned just in front of the back four, midfielder Jack Taylor won a recall with Andre Blackman was surprisingly selected on the left of midfield in a 4-1-3-2 formation.

Barnet needed to be on their mettle from the opening moments when in the midst of a goalmouth scramble following a corner, Danny Hylton’s effort was kept out by Bees keeper Craig Ross.

Allen’s men were on the defensive for the bulk of the half, forayed forward on occasions, but whilst it was clear the Hatters were the superior outfit, their opponents were in no mood to meekly surrender.

Ross was by far the busier keeper, repeatedly being called upon to keep the Hatters out.

Olly Lee, a former Bee, who has gone on to establish himself in Luton’s midfield, had a long-distance effort that went narrowly over the bar, with Luke Berry also testing Ross’s reflexes to the limit with a low save and then Lee again went close.

In the closing minutes of the first-half Luton carelessly lost possession in midfield which enabled John Akinde to power through the middle. The Barnet striker had Alex Nicholls alongside him but he chose to shoot and his strike went narrowly wide of a post.

Moments later Taylor had a shot from the edge of the box but come the whistle Barnet were content they had weathered the storm in the opening 45 minutes.

Within two minutes of the restart the home side went ahead. From a foul conceded by Sweeney, the resulting delivery was headed back across the box where the predatory Hylton had the simplest of tasks to head home from close range for his 18th goal of the campaign.

Moments later Akinde hit a hopeful effort from the edge of the box that James Shea collected, but it was the home side that would extend their lead in the 67th minute.

The ball sat up invitingly for James Collins, some 20 yards out and his well-struck shot bounced in front of keeper Ross and out of his clutches and into the bottom left corner.

The home side now knew the game was safe and that a comeback by the Bees was only a remote possibility.

Barnet deployed all three attacking substitutes at their disposal in an attempt to force the issue but Luton continued to dominate.

Simeon Akinola had a deflected effort from a free-kick well save by Shea with just four minutes remaining which could have led to a grandstand finish, but there could be no arguing that Luton deserved the victory.

Barnet were far from disgraced and the players’ commitment was acknowledged by the travelling supporters with applause come the final whistle.

The Bees have given themselves a platform to build on when they play fellow strugglers Crewe Alexandra on Friday, which given the disparity in the league positions of the two sides prior to kick-off is probably the best they could have hoped for.

Barnet: Ross, Brindley (Akpa Akpro 81), Clough, Santos, Tutonda, Sweeney, J.Taylor (Coulthirst 67), Blackman (Akinola 55), Weston, Akinde, Nicholls. Subs not used: Nelson, Watson, Fonguck, McKenzie-Lyle.