Barnet have moved out of the League Two relegation zone following a 2-0 away win against Bristol Rovers. In a game devoid of many clear chances a first half Izale McLeod header proved to be the winner. It was the striker’s tenth league goal of season and earned the Bees an important three points. Despite several injuries Lawrie Sanchez made just two changes to his Barnet side as Izale McLeod and Jack Saville started in place of Charlie Taylor and Gary Borrowdale.

It was an encouraging start to the game from Barnet who earned two corners in the first minute. Unfortunately for the Bees neither came to anything. A Chris Zebroski shot that Dean Brill easily saved was the closest either side came to breaking the deadlock in the early stages. The hosts were extremely close to taking the lead when a deep corner found Matt Harrold and his looping header evaded Brill but a combination of Clovis Kamdjo and the post kept the ball out. The chance didn’t affect the Bees and they continued to look the more likely to score. McLeod was causing the Rovers defence a lot of problems with his pace and was able to win several free kicks for the Bees in dangerous positions. From one of the free-kicks, Mark Byrne came close with a well hit strike that required Scott Bevan in the Pirates’ goal to dive full length and turn the shot around the post. From the resulting corner the Bees took the lead. An out swinging cross was helped towards goal by Mark Hughes and McLeod had the easy job of flicking the ball home from close range.

 Both teams were finding it hard to create chances following the goal and a late strike from Matt Gill was the closest either came as the Bees went in ahead at the break. Lawrie Sanchez made a half time change as Darren Dennehy, who had picked up a knock in the first half, was replaced by Michael Hector. It was a fairly even start to the second period but Mark Marshall will feel he could have done better when he shot well wide instead of crossing.

Rovers’ fans were becoming very agitated with their side but Joe Anyinsah still looked a threat and went close with a long range strike. Brill had been fairly comfortable for the majority of the match but he was called into action to stop Anyinsah levelling the contest. A clever flick from Zebroski put the Rovers’ winger through but with only Brill to beat he shot straight at the Bees’ keeper. Barnet rarely threatened in the second period but the defence held up well against an onslaught of pressure from the Pirates. After looking unlikely to find an equaliser for the majority of the contest the final minutes proved to be the host’s best spell of the game. A 30-yard strike from substitute Elliot Richards rattled the crossbar before Brill was at full length to tip away a cross that had deflected off the leg of Hector.

In the 97th minute of second half added time Barnet secured the win when a clearance fell to the feet of Mark Byrne and he curled an effort from the outside of the box into the bottom corner to secure the three points.

 The Bees will return to Underhill after four away games this Friday when they host Macclesfield. Barnet: Brill; Senda, Downing, Dennehy, Saville, Marshall, Kamdjo, Hughes, Byrne, Deering, McLeod. Barnet substitutes: O’Brien, Parkes, Hector, N’Diaye.

Bristol Rovers: Bevan, Woodards, Bolger, Sawyer, Brown, Anyinsah, Gill, Dorman, Harrold, Zebroski, Carayol. Bristol Rovers Substitutes: Stanley, McGleish, Anthony, Richards, Swallow. Attendance: 5,524 (198)

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